15 Oct Ampang Jaya BC off to a great start, downs Puchong United BC on Match Day 1

Ampang Jaya Badminton Club (BC) laid down a marker for the upcoming Purple League Junior (PLJ) 2018 season when they opened their campaign with a bang, trouncing Puchong United BC, 14-8 on Match Day 1 held at the Desa Petaling Sports Complex.

Ampang Jaya BC’s boy’s singles player, Tan Ming Kang clinched a 3-1 (11-5, 5-11, 11-10, 11-10) victory over Puchong United BC’s, Tai Chuan Zhe.

The Ampang based outfit won their first three ties comfortably through men’s singles, Tan Ming Kang who defeated Tai Chuan Zhe.  3-1 (11-5, 5-11, 11-10, 11-10) in 48 mins, Goh Yi Xuan-Ng Wan Win overcoming Erica Hoh Ji Ling-Wong Kha Moon in women’s doubles, 3-1 (10-11, 11-6, 11-10, 11-9) in 40 mins and Ng Wan mixed doubles pairing, Chia Wei Jie-Tan Yan Yi beating Hoe Shi Yun-Khoo Kwang Yean, 3-2 (10-11, 8-11, 11-7, 11-9, 11-7) in 38 mins.

They then succumbed to their only loss when Chinese import, Chen Lu lost her girls singles match, 3-2 (11-8, 8-11, 5-11, 11-4, 9-11) in 48 minutes.

“Our Chinese player, Chen Lu, she had problems adjusting to the heat in the hall. It was her first time playing overseas and understandably she was feeling the jitters,” said manager Khek Mong after the tie.

Normal service was resumed when men’s doubles pairing, Haffiz Nur Adila-Ng Tze Yong produced a power packed display to overcome Justin Hoh Shou Wei-Zachary Sia Chiong Shen, 3-1 (6-11, 11-9, 11-10, 11-9) in 40 mins.

Ampang Jaya BC set tounges wagging in the local badminton scene when they received a RM2 million sponsorship for their war chest this season. For Khek Mong, only the championship title for both the junior and senior category shall suffice, befitting their generous outlay.

“For this year, our aim is to be in the top two, if not to be the champion. We want to improve on our runners up position last year.

“Our ultimate aim is to produce a representative for the Asian Games and World Championship in two years, not just to do well in the Purple League,” added Khek Mong.

Their junior team were runners up to Cheras Badminton Club last season and are gunning for their maiden title since the league’s inception in 2015.Their senior team is set to storm the Purple League this season, led by world champion and number one, Kento Momota from Japan.

In the earlier matches, Tebrau City BC open accounts with a convincing 10-6 win over  Serdang BC in Division Two. Hosts, Desa Petaling BC had a rough time but managed to prevail against newcomers, Kuantan Synergy, 12-10.

Last year’s runners up, Georgetown BC eked out a 12-11 win over PGBC. Meanwhile, Amanjaya BC emerged victorious, 12-8 against Ayer Itam BC while the remaining action in Division Two saw Klang Rising BC on equal points, 10-10 against Ipoh BC.

Treat yourself to some high-octane badminton action by watching the numerous up-and-coming stars in the Purple League Junior 2018 at the Desa Petaling Sports Complex (13th-14th October), Sports Arena Puchong (27th-28th October) and the Challenger Sports Centre Ampang (3th-4th November).