MIRI: PTBS Harwood emerged as overall champions by beating PTBS Utara 3-1 in the final held of the PTBS Inter-Division tennis tournament for the Chief Minister’s Challenge Trophy 2017 at Miri Tennis Centre, Miri last Sunday.
PTBS Harwood received a cash prize of RM3,000 and a challenge trophy while PTBS Utara bagged home RM2,000. Miri A and Limbang A who were the semi-finalists, each took home a cash prize of RM700 and medals.
The quarterfinalists for the tournament, Limbang B, Mukah, Bintulu and Mukah OD all received a cash prize of RM350 each.
A total of 12 teams participated in the tournament namely PTBS Harwood, PTBS Utara, Miri A, Miri B, Miri C, Limbang A, Limbang B, Bintulu, Mukah A, Mukah B, Sibu and Serian.
In 2013, PTBS Exco decided that the PTBS Inter-Division to be held outside Kuching once in every three years in order to reach out to PTBS’s members and affiliates in the central and northern region of Sarawak.
The last time it was held outside Kuching was in 2014 and it was also held in Miri as the latter is the only venue that can provide sufficient facilities for this level of tournament.
The opening and prize giving ceremony for the team event of the Chief Minister’s Challenge Trophy was officiated by Assistant Minister of Youth, Sports and Housing, Datuk Hj Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah at Imperial Palace Hotel, here, on March 18.
During his speech at the ceremony, Karim commended PTBS for being able to organise the state level tennis competition consistently since the 1980s and also praised PTBS as one of the few sports associations in Sarawak that has been able to sustain independently and maintain strong level of consistency for long time.
He believed that with the in depth strength of PTBS and the support of the Chief Minister, PTBS can go to greater heights in the future.
Karim added that PTBS’s success in the last 40 years has been due to its President, Tan Sri Datuk Amar Hj Bujang Mohd Nor, who has been a pillar of strength since its inception in 1978.
He suggested that a tournament to his name should be organized in appreciation to his contribution to PTBS. Karim later announced that he will give PTBS an annual grant of RM10,000.
Earlier, PTBS Deputy President, Tuan Haji Sapiee Hanapi thanked the Chief Minister and Karim for their support and also expressed his gratitude to all the sponsors, Harwood Timber Sdn. Bhd, Rassnorm Sdn Bhd, Lumin Engineering Sdn Bhd, Best Motors, EPC Synergy Sdn. Bhd, Gerbang Timur Construction Sdn Bhd, Kereta Sewa Miri, Keris Damai Sdn Bhd, Betakota Sdn Bhd and Mukah Electrical Sdn Bhd,
for their support and contribution for making the tournament a success.
For the state level Open and Veteran Category (singles and doubles), the tournament was held from March 19 to 21 at the Miri Tennis Centre, here, and the prize for the champion of the singles and doubles categories was RM500 respectively.
A total of 70 participants registered their entries for the tournament.
