VICTOR Hong Kong Open has now reached the running in stage but off the court excitement there are also other badminton activities going on to promote the sport. At the Kowloon Park Sports Centre, an “A badminton clinic and demonstration by international stars” was held on Saturday, allowing more than 100 young players to learn from the star players who attended the Hong Kong Open. All these badminton stars paid high tribute to the potential of the participants and hoped the clinic can strengthen these youngsters’ commitment in the sport.
Lee Chun Hei and Ng Tze Yau of Hong Kong, Terry Hee Yong Kai and Jessica Tan Wei Han of Singapore and Rinov Rivaldy and Pitha Haningtyas Mentari of Indonesia. Joined by Chen Fang Hui of China
The demonstration was organised by the Hong Kong Badminton Association, inviting 140 young players from 9 to 12 years who are members of the association’s elite youth team, district youth team and reserve youth team and coupled with their parents, there were over 200 participants, making it a big event. Three mixed doubles pairs, including Lee Chun Hei and Ng Tze Yau of Hong Kong, Terry Hee Yong Kai and Jessica Tan Wei Han of Singapore and Rinov Rivaldy and Pitha Haningtyas Mentari of Indonesia. Joined by Chen Fang Hui of China, they had a two-hour exchanges with the young players.
The players first demonstrated some basic skills of hitting the shuttlecock while two overseas mixed doubles also played a exhibition match with the Singaporeans winning the by just one point. Hong Kong’s Lee and Ng then formed different teams with the youth players and played against other youth teams led by Terry Hee and Rinov Rivaldy respectively. The demonstration by the star players or their young teammates had won big applaud from the participants. The seven players also played against the young players, signed autographs and took photos with the participants to round off a successful clinic.
Hong Kong team member Ng was surprised to find these young players were not scared of the star players, triggering her memories of playing with Chinese players during her younger days. “I played with the Chinese Olympians when I was a little kid and was so treasured of the opportunity which has later enhanced my passion in badminton,” she said. “I hope the young players can have the same feeling today.”
Terry Hee of Singapore said he had joined similar exchange events with the youngsters back home and one of their duties is to help produce players of the new generation. “Their basic skills and badminton level are quite impressive and we hope they can continue to pursue better results in badminton.”
