MIRI: The Dato Paran Trophy inter-team badminton competition is gearing up for expansion, with plans to host a larger-scale event that will invite teams from different districts and divisions.
In a statement on Thursday (Dec 7), organising committee chairman Anderson Dato Paran expressed the committee’s excitement for the inaugural event, recently held at Sibu Indoor Stadium, which garnered an overwhelming response from the public, particularly local badminton players.
“The local badminton players showed tremendous support for this year’s inaugural competition.
“They encouraged us to organise next year’s event on a larger scale with participation from teams in other districts and divisions,” he stated.
According to him, the number of teams in this year’s competition was limited to first-come, first-served basis, and many late entries were turned down due to the match draws.
Anderson, who is also the founder and managing director of Borneo MA Smart Vendors Sdn Bhd (BMAS), the primary sponsor of the competition, mentioned that the company is backing the badminton competition as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives.
“We plan to introduce more sporting events in the near future, providing opportunities for local participation.”
BMAS, a Sarawakian company headquartered in Miri with branches in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Brunei and Kalimantan, Indonesia, has been an active sponsor of community events, including the recent SMK Luak Sports Carnival 2023.
The company has also sponsored participants in various sporting events, such as the Sibu Powerboat Race 2023 and Sibu’s PKPMJS Mixed Volleyball Tournament 2.0.
