Janih Bangud
KOTA KINABALU: A top Sabah Badminton Association (SBA) official has hailed the achievement of Tokyo Paralympics-bound Didin Taresoh, describing the shuttler’s feat as “an excellent example for other athletes to follow”.
President of SBA, Janih Bangud, said the Sabahan fully deserved his spot having shown great determination and hard work over the years to chase his dream.
“Although Didin is not under us and that we (SBA) played no part in his success, the association nonetheless wants to congratulate him for the historic feat.
“I was made to understand despite a hip injury suffered in 2018 and competing against much younger opponents, he was able to qualify on merit.
“Without a doubt he has set an excellent example to other athletes, the state badminton players in particular, and they can draw inspiration from Didin’s sheer determination to make his dream come true,” he said on Sunday.
For the record, 46-year-old Didin is under the care of Sabah Sports and Recreation Association for people with disabilities (PESRON Sabah) and along with Cheah Liak Hou, is the only two national Para shuttlers to earn their spots in Tokyo.
Former world Para badminton champion Didin will compete in the Men’s Singles Short Stature Sport Class (SS 6) while Liak Hou in the Men’s Singles Standing Upper 5 category.
“We hope our players, especially the juniors will be motivated by Didin’s success and to continue to train hard to achieve their own dreams,” added Janih.
Meanwhile, Janih expressed high hope that SBA would one day be able to produce athletes to compete in the Olympics.
“Sabah is not short of badminton talents for certain. Arena Satu Samin is very talented and she has won the Singapore Youth International Series tournament in 2019.
“Another player Datu Mohd Shah Eizlan Sardik has previously beaten reigning All-England champion Lee Zii Jia in the national championship.
“SBA, with combined efforts and commitment from all…the coaches, officials and also support from the parents, we will be able to see Sabah shuttlers compete in the Olympics,” he said.
The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) recently announced that eight national shuttlers and two Para shuttlers have qualified for the Olympics and Paralympics respectively.
The international multi-sport events were supposed to take place last year but due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Olympics has been rescheduled to July 23 to August 8 and the Paralympics to August 25 to September 5, this year.