KUALA LUMPUR: The New Straits Times Press (NSTP) badminton team emerged victorious at the Sportswriters Association of Malaysia (SAM)-Allianz 2024 Badminton Championship held at the Academy Badminton Malaysia in Bukit Kiara last Saturday.
The NSTP team consisting of Effendy Rashid, Aswadi Alias, Saifulizam Tamadi, Raja Shah Amimarzuan and Nor Hafizah Muhd Fadzil proved difficult to beat for 10 other teams from media agencies and sports associations.
In the final, NSTP defeated the Malaysian Football League (MFL), which was represented by its media unit.
The Olympic Council of Malaysia (MOM) secured third place by defeating the RTM Angkasapuri team.
The participating teams were NSTP, MFL, MOM, RTM Angkasapuri, Sebelum Subuh (journalists from Harian Metro, Berita Harian and Flash Sukan), TV3 Eagle, Bernama, Utusan-Kosmo, Astro Arena, RTM and SAM.
The champion took home a medal and RM800 in cash, the runner-up received RM600 and a medal, the team in third place earned RM300 and a medal, and the team in fourth place received RM300.
The event aimed to strengthen ties among SAM members, national sports stakeholders and sponsors of sports industry.