ASICS Malaysia reaffirmed its commitment to nurturing young athletes and fostering a thriving badminton culture by sponsoring two prestigious tournaments: the ASICS Badminton University Cup 2024 and the ASICS MASISWA Badminton Tournament 2024, both held at IOI Sports Centre, Putrajaya

The ASICS MASISWA Badminton Tournament, held from 19–21 November, brought together 145 players from 21 private universities, showcasing their skills across singles and doubles categories. This was followed by the ASICS Badminton University Cup, held from 22–24 November, featuring 20 teams representing 15 universities in a high-energy team event format.

Both tournaments provided a platform for emerging talents, many of whom are former state and national players, to compete at a high level while promoting ASICS’s core values of teamwork, sportsmanship, and mental and physical well-being. Winners across the categories were awarded cash prizes from a combined pool of RM10,900 and ASICS products, including premium footwear, symbolising ASICS’s support for their continued athletic journeys.

The MASISWA Badminton Tournament made a vibrant showcase of talent. In the mixed doubles Ryan Chang Zi Xuan/Sik Xiao Hui defeated Eskil Khaw Yong Siang/Elaine Ng Yee Mun in a nail-biting 21-14, 19-21, 22-20 finish. For the men’s singles, Sean Ngu Ze Xi claimed the title with a commanding 21-12, 21-7 win over Eng Ler Xian. Kasturi Radhakrishnan triumphed 21-19, 21-10 against Selina Loh Hor Yan, securing her win in the women’s singles. In the men’s doubles, Dylan Ooi Ding Sheng/Eskil Khaw Yong Xiang emerged victorious after a hard-fought match 20-22, 21-10, 21-16 against Leong Yik Hung/Tan Kai Shiuan, while Elaine Ng Yee Mun/Lim Qi Ling won a straight set 21-11, 21-18 against Sik Xiao Hui/Wong Kha Moon in the women’s doubles.

Whereas the ASICS Badminton University Cup concluded with a stellar performance by UCSI University, led by Ng Tze Chian, the younger brother of Malaysia’s men’s singles star Ng Tze Yong. Tze Chian teamed up with Sik Xiao Hui in the mixed doubles to secure the first point for UCSI with a decisive win over Tan Ming Yue and Lim Xin Yi, 21-16, 21-10. The victory was sealed in the men’s doubles, where Lim Yik Fong and Ryan Chang Zi Xuan overpowered Khoo Yong Jian and Teo Hong Kai, 21-17, 21-11, earning UCSI a 2-0 win against UTAR in the final.

These tournaments exemplify ASICS’s smission to empower the next generation of Malaysian athletes by creating pathways to success while celebrating the nation’s badminton heritage. Participants also engaged with ASICS’s latest footwear innovations and promotions for OneASICS, the brand’s membership programme offering exclusive benefits.

Boon Tib Soon Nik, Country Manager of ASICS Malaysia, emphasised the brand’s mission, stating, “At ASICS, we believe in empowering the next generation of athletes by providing them with the platforms and tools to excel, both on and off the court. Badminton is an integral part of Malaysian culture, and we believe that supporting young talents through grassroots initiatives is essential to fostering the next generation of champions. They embody the spirit of ‘Sound Mind, Sound Body’, promoting a holistic and healthy lifestyle through sport.”

Both badminton tournaments are poised for growth in the coming years, promising to unearth even more talent while inspiring the next generation of champions as ASICS strengthens its commitment to grassroots sports development in Malaysia.

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