Leong Hui Chen receives her trophy as Ladies singles champion in the 1961 Kuching Open.
BACK when indoor courts were a distant dream, badminton was played under open skies. Past players sparred outdoors on rough concrete or earth surfaces with the wind as both friend and foe. Each rally became a subtle negotiation with nature as gusts could boost the power of smashes or soften them, while breezes could float a delicate dropshot over the net or just as easily sway the most precise attempts off course.
In the shifting winds, players developed patience, instinct and the art of adjusting on the fly and they carried that resilience with them long after the skies gave way to roofs. The game changed shape but not its heartbeat.
Sarawak’s earlier shuttlers brought a distinct quality to the court. Using wooden racquets being heavier and far less forgiving than modern equipment they were gritty and adaptable. Without the benefits of advanced materials or enlarged sweet spots, players honed their skills through discipline and a deep understanding of the game. While modern racquets offer significant advantages in power and performance, the fundamentals set by these early players remain highly relevant — skill over equipment and a firm commitment to optimising one’s own abilities without over-reliance on technology. Ultimately, it’s the player, not the equipment, that determines performance. Badminton is shaped as much by the human spirit as by hardware.
When people talk about early badminton in Sarawak, the legendary Ong Poh Lim of the ‘crocodile serve’ fame inevitably crops up, evoking reverence for a golden era now not quite within the local game’s reach. Yet, the story was not his alone. The courts were alive with other players too, each bringing their own style, flair and unmistakable presence.
Looking back, the doubles pairing of two stalwarts Chan Khiok Hian and Lau Han Choon stood out for their seamless partnership, marked by an unspoken mutual understanding. Across the net, two other stalwarts — Arshad and Pitani Manan– stood just as resolute, returning every shot with grit and sureness. Their matches were never one-sided, often featuring long rallies and narrow margins. It wasn’t just about who won or lost but the excitement unfolding with every serve, smash and save.
Other standout players included Ho Ah Chon whose name carried a sweep of titles across singles, doubles and mixed doubles. And he was far from alone. There were many others — ‘Iron lung’ Hassan Manan, Matthew Hon, Eddie Wahab, Jit Beng, Leong Ann, Siew Ming, Ah Leng, Chiew Hoon …. so many more that it is hard to do them all justice here, certainly more than one page could ever hope to hold.
A men’s doubles match in progress at the 1964 Sarawak Badminton Championships.
Youthful sparkle
The men’s singles scene back then had a certain youthful sparkle to it, carried by two young champions Kho Kui Leong and Lim Khiok Seng. Between them, they collected a number of titles with a dominance still talked about among long-time enthusiasts. What made it even more memorable was the sense of continuity they carried. Both Kui Leong and Khiok Seng were the sons of well-known footballers — Kho Eng Seng and Freddie Lim respectively. The boys, notably, weren’t limited to one game. Away from the badminton courts, both, like their fathers, were promising footballers in their own right, playing for their school in the KFA League matches.
The game came of age in the hands of a remarkable generation. Alongside Kui Leong and Khiok Seng were names that once echoed through halls and courts âlongside Ibrahim Tambi, Richard Leong, Sim Leng Siaw, Sim Ah Lee (the tough left-hander), Lim Ee Chiat, Sim Hiok Kheng and Abang Shukori whose collective presence could lift the tempo of a match. They were not alone, of course, as many others were just as spirited and devoted, too many to gather into a single telling. But together, they shaped an era that still lives in memory.
In later years, another champion emerged in Abdul Rahman Hassan with a string of titles to his name. He was known for his technical, artistic savvy, flair, footwork and endurance over the modern ‘speed and power’ style. Then there were James Chua, a former Sukma singles champion who later became part of the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM), and Pei Wee Chung, a talent unearthed alongside James Chua who later also joined the BAM.
Inter-Colony Championship
One significant tournament at the time was the Inter-Colony Championship, first played in Jesselton (Kota Kinabalu) in 1959. For the inaugural encounter, eight young Kuching players were selected to represent Sarawak — Sim Hiok Kheng (captain), Lim Ee Chat (vice captain), Richard Leong Kok Wai, Lim Swee Yang, Abang Drahman Bolhassan, Goh Mee Liang, Chua Leong Bee and Hossen Awang. The team was led by Sarawak BA vice president Lee Swee Hock as non-playing team manager.
Sarawak were not mere participants in this early “Borneo” tournament but formidable challengers for their North Borneo opponents. In the inaugural encounter, that spirited group of Kuching teenagers, some just 16 or 17, still carrying the edges of school life on their shoulders, scored a decisive victory over their northern neighbours. A 1960 report noted that the hosts were not badly shaken and disconcerted by their 6-3 defeat. Instead, it added, what resulted was a quiet admiration for techniques worth learning from the Sarawak players — a deadly winning smash and a strong backhand flick from the backcourt.
The second Inter-Colony Tournament, held on 1 August 1960 at the former Happy World Stadium on Padungan Road, Kuching, saw Sarawak once again coming out on top with a commanding victory to retain their title. The losing seven-member North Borneo team left their mark in quieter ways, playing with commendable spirit and sportsmanship. It was a time when victories were celebrated but not at the expense of dignity. Win or lose, handshakes mattered with both sides measuring each other well.
Sarawak’s women shuttlers also shared the courts of yesteryear, albeit not many. Most played doubles mainly in Kuching, seldom venturing beyond the capital. They included Jeanie Sim, Kho Kui Hua (Kui Leong’s sister), Wee Chai Siok, Rose Linang, Rosemary Yong, and Alice Hon, to name a handful. There was a different rhythm to their play then less about speed and power, more about touch and placement. They may not have played with the sharp pace and athletic force of today’s girls but they carried something equally enduring as pioneers, stepping onto courts, building traditions point by point and laying the foundation on which today’s Sarawak female players now stand.
Owen Ting and Wong Ling Ching keep the Sarawak flag flying in the mixed doubles at Sukma 2022.
Current emerging crops
Sarawak’s badminton scene in 2026 is led by national women’s singles shuttler Wong Ling Ching. The 22-year-old is regarded as one of Malaysia’s leading women’s singles prospects. She has consistently represented the national team, delivering key victories in international tournaments. Her breakthrough on the world circuits helped propel her into prime company of women’s singles badminton.
In a relatively short international career, she has earned a reputation as a giant killer for taking out higher-ranked opponents. Her notable upsets include wins over Canada’s World No. 15 Michelle Li at the 2025 Japan Masters, Thailand’s World No. 8 Pornpawee Chochuwong at the 2026 German Open and World No. 39 Pitchamon Opatniputh (a former World Junior Champion) at the 2025 Malaysia Super 100, Indonesia’s World No. 10 Gregoria Mariska Tunjung at the 2025 SEA Games, and former world champion PV Sindhu at the 2023 Badminton Asia Mixed Team Championships. Several of these wins were hard-fought, marathon matches where Ling Ching showed strong fighting spirit and composure under pressure. She also delivered a commendable performance as a finalist at the 2025 Allianz Malaysia Super 100.
A World No. 37 ranking places her among the top-tier globally, especially in a deep field like badminton. A quarter-final finish at the 2026 Swiss Open and a semi-final berth at the Thailand Masters early this year underline her upward trajectory. Being just behind the national No. 1 K Letshanaa (ranked 34) also puts her in a strong position within the national setup.
The Miri-born shuttler now stands at a defining crossroads. Having already proven herself as a giant-killer, the next chapter requires turning flashes of brilliance into sustained dominance and underdog triumphs into impactful contention. As she continues her development, the focus will be on building the competitive maturity required to become a top singles players.
Risk of injury
In sports, injury is an unfortunate reality, often a career-ending bane for athletes, and it remains despite ongoing prevention efforts. Ling Ching experienced this directly at the recent Uber Cup in Horsens, Denmark, where she competed well below full fitness.
In Malaysia’s quarter-final tie against China, she courageously battled through hip and back injuries while facing Olympic champion Chen Yufei who won in straight sets. The injuries, sustained during a training camp in Herning, Denmark, ahead of the tournament, restricted Ling Ching’s movement on court and left her feeling ‘out of control’ during rallies. Competing against a world-class elite player was always going to be tough and it definitely became super tough while injured. The only valid takeaway – if it was worth it – is the learning experience and Ling Ching’s exposure to topflight Uber Cup competition.
Her injuries have raised concerns about why she was not rested, especially as allowing her to continue competing while in pain may have increased the risk of prolonged damage. Her compatriot, Pearly Tan, was earlier withdrawn due to a recurring back injury to allow for full recovery and rehabilitation. Ling Ching’s situation underscores the need for a healthy balance between short-term demands to compete, injuries notwithstanding, and long-term welfare of athletes. It is hoped she will make a full recovery, return to training and work her way back to competitive shape.
Sarawak’s Genevie Lim Tsin Yeen and Wafa Shahmina Rahmah have established themselves as one of Malaysia’s most promising junior doubles combinations, consistently reaching podium positions at national-level competitions. They were finalists at the Petronas National U-21 Championships 2026 and secured a silver medal at the U-18 Championships. For these performances, they have been selected for international tournament exposure and further development within the national setup.
Among the emerging talents are Tan Zhi Yi who has impressed with an U-16 gold at the Sarawak Energy Junior Badminton Championship and Abbie Wong Sin Shiu, a ranked shuttler from Sibu. Their development will be followed with considerable interest as they continue their challenging ascent through the rankings.
As of early 2026, Sarawak’s leading male badminton players include emerging talents from the national junior squad, notably Jared Foo Dun Liang. The state’s youth development pipeline is further reflected in the 2025-26 National Badminton Championships U-16 squad, featuring Chong Yan Cheng, Mohammad Najib Haqimi Mohamad Osman, Darrick Ong Shang How, Wyn Ong Yi Ze, and Adam Wong Xin Khai.
In addition, Lucas Ho and Caleb Voon secured titles at the Wyse Active International Age Group Series 2026, while Owen Ting and Syafiq Azhar continue to play active roles in Sarawak BA programmes. Other notable state players include Isyraf Hafizin, Darrent Lim Lian Zhan and Dexter Ong Shang Zherk.
Overall, Sarawak possesses a promising pool of talents, albeit mostly still within junior and SUKMA ranks. The next phase will be their progression to the senior level. But that’s only one part of it. Their continued development, and more crucially, their progress in training, will be pivotal in gauging whether they have what it takes to scale the dizzying heights of world badminton — given that the modern game is defined by speed, precision and intensity. Rallies are no longer simple exchanges but quick-thinking sequences of attack and response. Offence is characterised by sustained, high-powered pressure while defence has become increasingly elastic. It’s a demanding sport that takes not only talent but also strong will and a brave heart to conquer.
A training session in progress among young aspiring shuttlers in Kuching.
New scoring system
Badminton matches seem to stretch on forever with scorelines creeping towards 21. However, from January 2027, this will change as the Badminton World Federation (BWF) introduces a new 3×15 scoring system – best of three games to 15 points – replacing the current 3×21 format in place since 2006.
The new format retains the rally point scoring system rather than the traditional ‘service over’ system used in the 1990s where only the server could score. Under the rally point system, a point is awarded on every rally, regardless of which side is serving.
A deuce rule will still apply. If the score reaches 14-14, a side must achieve a two-point advantage to win the game. However, a cap is also in place to prevent excessively long games. In most cases, play is capped at 20-20 with the next point deciding the winner or at a maximum of 21 points, ensuring the game remains time-efficient. In the 21-point system, the cap is set at 30 points.
In the third game, players will switch ends once a side reaches 8 points. A 60-second interval is permitted when a side first reaches 8 points while a 120-second interval is allowed between games.
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