ALLIANZ JUNIOR BADMINTON CHAMPIONSHIP 2025 CONTINUES ITS ROLE IN PRODUCING CHAMPIONS

KUALA LUMPUR, April 18 (Bernama) -- Entering its fourth edition this year, the Allianz Junior Badminton Championship (AJBC) 2025 will continue to play its role in nurturing players who may one day don national colours and achieve honours.

Allianz Malaysia Bhd (Allianz Malaysia) chief executive officer Sean Wang said the company is honoured to contribute to the development of quality badminton players who can serve the nation in the future.

In a statement today, he said Allianz Malaysia is also proud to provide a platform for junior players to hone their skills and enjoy the sport.

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“Yes, when people talk about junior development, it is always about producing the next Datuk Lee Chong Wei or even the next Thomas Cup champions.

“For us at Allianz Malaysia, badminton is more than just pushing to be the best; it is also about enjoying the game, having fun with friends and learning discipline and teamwork,” he said, adding that the company focuses on mass participation to create a larger pool of players who can step up in the future.

For the record, World Junior Championship 2024 finalist Low Zi Yu clinched her third AJBC title in the Girls’ Under-15 category last year, while AJBC alumni Dania Sofea was her doubles partner at the World Junior Championship.

Last year, over 3,000 players participated in the AJBC, and the number of entries is expected to remain the same this year across 10 qualifying rounds.

Allianz Malaysia said the opening round will take place in Klang from May 16 to 18, with subsequent qualifying rounds held in various locations around the country, including Alor Setar, Taiping, Kuching, Kota Kinabalu, Gelang Patah, Kota Bahru, Bukit Beruang, Bukit Mertajam and Kuantan.

The AJBC Grand Finals, featuring Under-13 and Under-15 finalists from the qualifying rounds, will take place in Kuala Lumpur from Nov 5 to 9. Each round will see 24 players qualify for the finals. Under-11 players will not advance to the Grand Finals.

“As in previous years, players participating in the AJBC qualifying rounds do not have to pay any entrance fees. The top three winners in each age category will earn RM500, RM300 and RM150 (singles), and RM600, RM400, and RM200 (doubles),” the statement read.

Meanwhile, players finishing in the top three at the Grand Finals will take home RM1,000, RM600 and RM300 (singles), and RM1,200, RM800 and RM400 (doubles).

Registration for the first qualifying round in Klang will open on April 23.

The AJBC tournament is supported by the Sports, Co-curricular and Arts Division of the Education Ministry and the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM).

For more information or to register for the AJBC, visit www.allianz.com.my/ajbc.

-- BERNAMA