Haier Cup 2026 Attracts Over 2,500 Badminton Enthusiasts

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 29 (Bernama) -- The Haier Cup 2026 badminton tournament concluded successfully after attracting more than 2,500 badminton enthusiasts from across the country for its fourth edition recently.

In a statement today, Haier Electrical Appliances (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd said the tournament achieved a new milestone by expanding its tour to Sabah for the first time, while also introducing an Open Category in Selangor to further broaden the sport’s reach.

The keenly contested tournament saw champions from five states — Sabah, Sarawak, Johor, Penang and Selangor — take home a share of the total RM90,000 cash prize pool, along with exclusive Haier products and Maxx sponsorship prizes.

Haier Malaysia managing director Sun Menghao said the tournament not only brought the badminton community together, but also helped generate greater interest in the sport among Malaysians regardless of age or skill level.

“We are deeply touched to be able to provide this meaningful platform for the fourth consecutive year. With Sabah joining the tournament for the first time this year, we were able to bring the excitement of competitive badminton to even more Malaysians,” he said in the statement.

He said Haier Malaysia aims to explore new states and communities in future editions to give more badminton enthusiasts the opportunity to hone their skills and challenge themselves.

In the Sabah Open, Mah Yan Quan won the men’s singles title, while Mahamir Mahaguli-Muhammad Aliff Isyraff emerged champions in the men’s doubles and Lee Jia Ern-Tee Shun Xing claimed the mixed doubles title.

In the Sarawak Open, Muhammad Aliff Isyraff won the men’s singles title, while Gan Chung Wong-Ivan Khian Syen Wei emerged champions in the men’s doubles and Elaine Ng Yee Mun-Lim Zhi Ren won the mixed doubles title.

The Johor Open saw Neoh Yee Xiang (men’s singles), Ng Jia Jun-Lim Kar Leong (men’s doubles) and Kow Wui Keat-Yap Ming Hui (mixed doubles) emerge as champions, while the Penang Open was dominated by Chris Nahshon Esu (men’s singles), Low Xing Yu-Lui Gan Bing (men’s doubles) and Eu Jia Qi-Junior Oh Jia Pang (mixed doubles).

In the Selangor Open, Low Eu Cong won the men’s singles title, Helmie Zulhaidee-Muhammad Nur Aidil Adha claimed the men’s doubles crown and Yap Cheng Wen-Shahrul Shazwan emerged champions in the mixed doubles.

Apart from the main tournament, the second edition of the Haier Cup Junior also attracted nearly 800 young players competing in various singles and doubles categories.

Following the tournament, Haier Malaysia will continue its efforts to nurture young talent through the Haier “Be the Next Champion” Development Programme, which aims to involve 10,000 students from 20 schools by the end of this year, bringing the programme’s overall reach to 20,000 students.

-- BERNAMA