Datoâ Lee Chong Wei hands-out prizes and meet the fansat thrilling Finals
It may be an amateurs-only event but someone must have forgotten to inform the players as they played like world-class badminton professionals during the Final of the inaugural 100PLUS Badminton Team Championship, 2016.
The Final turned out to be a battle of grit, determination and sheer will to outdo the other by two formidable teams, Suntex Sports and Kepong BC, at Paradigm Mall here. While only one winning team eventually emerged at the end, many who came to watch and cheer went away inspired by the epic finale.
Malaysiaâs badminton ace and 100PLUS brand ambassador, Datoâ Lee Chong Wei, was also on-hand to watch the Final and give away the prizes to the winners. As a gesture to encourage the development of Malaysiaâs future badminton champions, Datoâ Lee also spentsome time interacting with young players and fans following the Final.
Leong Wai Yin, 100PLUS Marketing Manager, said, âThe Final was every bit as exciting as promised. This was no surprise as the finalists were the best two out of the 73 teams that have participated in this tournament. The level of play was indeed world-class and the players have clearly showed that they have âstayed thirstyâ to achieve more in the spirit of competition and excellence.â
âWe are also pleased to see the amazing response from all those who came to watch the Final, which was held inside a shopping mall for the first time. The atmosphere was fantastic and we are happy to be able to bring this exciting sport outside the typical badminton arena and into new venues and audience,â she added.Â
 The Champion Team walked away with an all-expense paid trip for eight to Brazil, RM20,000 cash prize as well as badminton gear. The Runner-up Team received RM10,000 cash prize in total and badminton gear.
100PLUS Badminton Team Championship 2016, which started on the first week of May, is a team-based amateurs-only tournament. Each team consists of six badminton players as well as two reserved players (eight in total), aged between 19 to 55 years old.
Each team must compete in all three categories, namely Menâs Doubles 1, Menâs Doubles 2 (combined age of 70 or above) and Mixed Doubles.Professional badminton players or players who have represented their respective States or the country were not eligible to participate in this tournament.Â
âWe are delighted to able to provide a platform for the everyday sports enthusiasts, in this case, badminton fans, to indulge in their favourite sports activity and be rewarded. We look forward to possibly holding similar tournaments in the future,â Leong concluded.
Juara Badminton 100PLUS Kunjungi Brazil
Walau acara yang dianjurkan inicuma untuk penyertaan pemain amatur sahaja tetapi para peserta menunjukkan aksi sama seperti pemain badmintonprofesional bertaraf dunia. Mereka telah mempamerkan aksi-aksi yang hebat di Pertandingan Akhir Kejohanan Badminton Berpasukan 100PLUS 2016 yang julung kali diadakan ini.
Pertandingan akhir tersebut menyaksikan peserta daripada dua pasukan hebat Suntex Sports dan Kepong BC, bertarung sambil menyerlahkan ketabahan, kesungguhan dan semangat juang masing-masing untuk merebut gelaran juara di Paradigm Mall. Ramai penonton yang datang untuk memberi sokongan, terutama sekali kepada pasukan yang menang dan merekaternyata kagum dengankehebatan yang mereka saksikan di pertandingan akhir ini.
Jaguh badminton Malaysia dan duta jenama 100PLUS, Datoâ Lee Chong Wei,turut hadir untuk memberi sokongan kepada para peserta dan telah menyampaikan hadiah kepada pemenang. Sebagai tanda sokongan dalam usahauntuk melahirkan jaguh badminton negara di masa hadapan, Datoâ Lee juga meluangkan masa untuk berinteraksi dengan pemain muda dan peminat di pertandingan akhir ini.
Leong Wai Yin, Pengurus Pemasaran 100PLUS,berkata, âPertandingan akhir ini sungguh menarik seperti yang diharapkan. Persaingan sengit ini tidak menghairankan kerana peserta akhir merupakan dua pasukanyang terbaik daripada 73 pasukan yang menyertaikejohanan ini. Kualiti permainan adalah bertaraf dunia dan para pemain jelas menunjukkan bahawa mereka âterus mendahagakanâ kejayaan sambil memaparkan semangat juang dan kesukanan yang tinggi.â
âKami juga gembira untuk melihat sambutan luar biasa daripada semua yang hadir untuk menyaksikan Pertandingan Akhir, yang diadakan buat kali pertamanyadi sebuah pusat beli-belah. Suasananya sungguh menyeronokkan dan kami gembira kerana berpeluang membawakan acara sukan menarik ini di luar gelanggang badminton biasa dan ke lokasi baru di hadapan penonton baru,â tambahnya.Â
 Pasukan Juara pulang dengan ganjaran lawatan yang ditanggung sepenuhnyauntuk lapan orang ke Brazil, hadiah wang tunai, RM20,000 dan juga peralatan badminton. Naib Juara menerima hadiah wang tunai RM10,000 dan peralatan badminton.
Kejohanan Badminton Berpasukan 100PLUS 2016, yang bermula pada minggu pertama Mei 2016 ialah pertandingan berpasukan yang dibuka kepadapemainamatur sahaja. Setiap pasukan dianggotai oleh enam pemain utama dan dua pemain simpanan (lapan secara keseluruhan), berusia antara 19 hingga 55 tahun. Setiap pasukan mesti bersaing dalam ketiga-tiga kategori, iaitu Beregu Lelaki1, Beregu Lelaki 2 (usia tergabung 70 tahun atau lebih) danBeregu Campuran.Pemain badminton profesional yang pernah mewakili negeri masing-masing atau negara tidak layak untuk menyertai pertandingan ini.Â
âKami gembira kerana berpeluang menyediakan wadah bagi semua peminat sukan, khususnya para peminat badminton. Ia amat menggalakkan apabila melihat mereke tampil untuk melibatkan diri dalam aktiviti sukan kegemaran mereka di sampingmendapatganjaran. Kami berharap untuk mengadakan acara yang serupapada masa depan,â rumus Leong.
