Badminton Tournament Celebrates Gawai Dayak, Lee Khim Sheng Advocates Public Health

(Miri, 4th) In conjunction with the birthday of our nation's head of state and the upcoming Gawai Dayak, the Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) Lambir Branch Youth Wing organized a badminton tournament yesterday morning (June 3rd) at the Lambir Champion Badminton Arena, officiated by Sarawak Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr. Lee Khim Sheng as the guest of honor.

Lee Khim Sheng pointed out that the badminton tournament, held in conjunction with the Gawai Dayak holiday, attracted teams from various parts of Sarawak including Mukah, Sarikei, Sibu, Kuching, Bintulu, Serian, and Miri, as well as participants from Brunei and Indonesia, showcasing the tournament's appeal and the widespread popularity of badminton in the region.

He stated that a total of 15 teams competed, each consisting of 9 players, making it a large-scale community sports event. He hopes to promote similar events in more areas of Sarawak in the future to further boost the sports atmosphere and enhance public health.

"Sports is not just a competitive activity, but also a lifestyle. Organizing such events not only increases local participation but also helps to bring the community together, fostering healthy living habits."

He also mentioned that with the near completion of the Pan Borneo Highway, transportation between cities in Sarawak is becoming more convenient, driving regional connectivity and development.

 "Nowadays, driving from Mukah to Miri is no longer an impossible task. This convenience of transportation not only attracts more badminton enthusiasts to participate but also brings new opportunities to local tourism."

He noted that many Sarawakians are now accustomed to road trips during festive seasons, driving from Kuching all the way north to Miri, perfectly illustrating the pivotal role of the Pan Borneo Highway in enhancing transportation and promoting the economy.

Guest of honor Sarawak Transport Minister Datuk Seri Lee Khim Sheng performs the opening shot for the badminton tournament.
Lee Khim Sheng emphasized that these infrastructure improvements are a significant indicator of Sarawak's step toward modernization, greatly enhancing the convenience and quality of life for the people.

Additionally, he urged the people of Sarawak, especially the younger generation, to partake in more sports activities to avoid a "sedentary lifestyle" caused by excessive use of mobile phones and computers.

"While modern technology is convenient, it has also changed our way of life. Many people are engrossed in mobile phones and computer games all day, neglecting the importance of exercise. This trend is detrimental to health; therefore, we must encourage more sports activities to remind the public to move."

He hopes to raise public health awareness through more community sports events in the future, steering Sarawak towards a healthier, more vibrant, and more modernized future.

Lambir Branch Youth Wing leader and organizing committee chairman Liu Yu Zhong stated that the purpose of organizing this event is to provide a platform for young badminton enthusiasts to hone their skills and exchange experiences, while also promoting sports to create a healthy and positive community atmosphere.

Results of the 2025 SUPP Lambir Branch Youth Wing Badminton Tournament are as follows:
Champion (1288 MYR): SJM BA
Runner-up (888 MYR): PIASAU BADMINTON CLUB
Second Runner-up (688 MYR): BMM
Fourth Place (588 MYR): STARLUX SPORTS BINTULU

The champion SJM BA team receives a cash prize of 1288 MYR from Guo Jianzhong.

The runner-up PIASAU BADMINTON CLUB team receives a cash prize of 888 MYR.

The second runner-up BMM team receives a cash prize of 688 MYR.

The fourth place STARLUX SPORTS BINTULU team receives a cash prize of 588 MYR.