KUALA LUMPUR (13 October 2018): 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.
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).

Purple League Junior 2018 Results:

13th October 2018 (Saturday)
Division One (12.00PM)

Petaling BC 7-10 Rawang BC
Bandar Maharani BC 10-10 Kepong BC
Petaling Jaya BC 4-15 Bukit Cheras BC
Puchong United BC 8-14 Ampang Jaya BC

Division Two (9.00AM)

Serdang BC 6-10 Tebrau City BC
Desa Petaling BC 12-10 Kuantan Synergy BC
Ayer Itam BC 8-12 Amanjaya BC
Klang Rising BC 10-10 Ipoh BC
PGBC 11-12 Georgetown BC

This evening – Division Two (beginning 3.00PM)

PGBC vs Klang Rising BC
Serdang BC vs Kuantan Synergy BC
Desa Petaling BC vs Amanjaya BC
Ayer Itam BC vs Ipoh BC
Tebrau City BC vs Georgetown BC

Fixtures for 14th October 2018 (Sunday)

Division One (9.00AM)
Cheras BC vs Puchong United BC
Petaling BC vs Kepong BC
Bandar Maharani BC vs Bukit Cheras BC
Petaling Jaya BC vs Ampang Jaya BC

(3.00PM)
Cheras BC vs Petaling Jaya BC
Rawang BC vs Kepong BC
Petaling BC vs Bukit Cheras BC
Bandar Maharani BC vs Ampang Jaya BC

Division Two (12.00PM)

PGBC vs Ayer Itam BC
Tebrau City BC vs Kuantan Synergy BC
Serdang BC vs Amanjaya BC
Desa Petaling BC vs Ipoh BC
Klang Rising BC vs Georgetown BC

About Malaysia Purple League
Founded in 2013, Malaysia Purple League is a competition platform in support of the Malaysian badminton effort by helping to develop and polish the skills of Malaysian badminton players to raise the level of competitive badminton in Malaysia. The league is an initiative that provides players of all levels, both professionals and amateurs, with an opportunity to gain invaluable competition experience, and concurrently strives to engage retired national greats to guide and inspire a new generation of champions. For more information, visit Malaysia Purple League website at http://www.purpleleague.com/