KENINGAU: Home-grown talent Muhammad Ammar Imran Mohd Rasyid stole the spotlight at the Sabah Junior Tennis Tour Leg 3 Merdeka Special Edition after securing two championship titles in the Boys’ Under-12 category.
Ammar emerged champion in both the Boys’ Under-12 Singles and Doubles events, recording an impressive 6-0 victory over Kota Kinabalu representative Louis Ho in the singles final.
He continued his winning run in the doubles, partnering Gideon Gerald to defeat the brother combination of Louis Ho and Ayden Ho 6-4.
Ammar’s double victory was the major highlight of the three-day tournament held at the Keningau Sports Complex Tennis Courts from Aug 29 to 31, which attracted about 80 junior players from Sabah, Sarawak, Korea and Japan.
The participation of players from outside Sabah, including competitors from Korea and Japan, added an international dimension to the Keningau leg and provided valuable exposure for local juniors.
Players from Kota Kinabalu, Tawau and Sandakan made up some of the largest contingents, while participation from Sarawak and overseas further strengthened the level of competition.
The tournament was organised with the support of the Sabah Tennis Association (STA) and spearheaded by the Keningau District Tennis Association, in line with efforts to strengthen grassroots tennis development and identify promising young players from across the State.
For Ammar, the achievement was particularly significant as it demonstrated the potential of young sporting talent from Sabah’s interior to compete successfully against players from more established tennis centres.
The tournament also served as an important platform for junior players to gain competitive experience, build confidence and develop their skills through regular exposure to high-level matches.
The official closing ceremony was officiated by Keningau District Tennis Association president and tournament director Mohd Rasyid Abd Ghani, popularly known as Cikgu Rasyid.
He expressed appreciation to the players, parents, coaches and all parties involved for their commitment, discipline and sporting spirit throughout the competition.
He also thanked the main sponsor, E-Borneo.Com Tour & Travel Sdn Bhd, official isotonic drink sponsor Life Water Sdn Bhd, and Hiap Leen Shopping Centre for their support in ensuring the successful staging of the tournament.
The Sabah Junior Tennis Tour Leg 3 Merdeka Special Edition also highlighted the growing importance of providing young players, particularly those from the interior, with opportunities to compete alongside athletes from different districts and countries.
Ammar’s two titles provide further encouragement for the development of junior tennis in Keningau and Sabah, while his performance could inspire more young players to take up the sport and pursue competitive opportunities.
The next leg of the tour will be held at Sutera Harbour, Kota Kinabalu, from Sept 4 to 6.
With Ammar’s double triumph providing a fitting highlight to the Keningau leg, the tournament has once again shown that promising tennis talent can emerge from beyond Sabah’s major urban centres when given the right opportunities and competitive platform.
