State shuttler Hanz set to follow in father’s footsteps
Published on: Saturday, December 07, 2019
By: GL Oh
Hanz (left) with Azahawari.
Kota Kinabalu: The path is set for State shuttler Hanz Haiqal Bin Azahawari to follow his father’s footsteps as he is being accepted to the Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM) in Bukit Kiara.The 15-year-old SM All Saints student was the only one from Sabah and the first to be enrolled into the academy with state of the art training facilities which was officially opened in 2017. Only six to eight players for each class in each form were chosen at the trial in the academy conducted by former internationals Hafiz Hashim, Kwan Yoke Meng and other coaches which was held late October.
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Hanz’s father and former multiple-time State badminton champion Azahawari Osman who had represented the country in various junior international tournaments in the past was once a student from 1993-1997 at the now defunct Badminton Academy also set up by BAM in Taman Maluri, Cheras.
He said his son’s achievement this year include winning the singles and doubles titles at the State Under-16 and MSSS Under-15 tournaments, as well as making the quarterfinals in both the singles and doubles events in MSSM.
“I am really happy for him to be selected by the panel of coaches led by former champions. The acceptance came as a surprise to us because of the limited numbers available in each class. Furthermore, the trial was quite tough and there were many good players from other states as well, so we are very happy with the recognition,” he said on Thursday.
He hopes his son will grab the opportunity to further improve himself at the academy and make a name for the State and the country in the future.
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