# ‘We need bigger budget for next year to bring better players’ – Razif Sidek
# Bangsar Hawks looking to bring in Thai, India, Singapore and Indonesian players
Bangsar Hawks Badminton Club need a bigger budget to bring in better players if they are to make headway in the Resorts World Genting Purple League.
In their final round robin league match in the second Purple League played at the Arena of Stars in Genting Highlands on Friday, Bangsar fell to a 12-7 defeat at the hands Nusjaya Badminton Club.
Despite failing to make the top eight in the 12-team league coach Razik Sidek was still pleased with the 11th placing – an improvement after finishing at the bottom last year.
“We need better players and for that you need a bigger budget. It was a better showing this year but not good enough to be in the top eight,” said Razif, a former Thomas Cupper and Olympic medallist in the men’s doubles with his Jailani Sidek.
The top eight teams in the league qualify for the Champions Challenge which begin in Genting Highlands on Tuesday.
“With a young team we did reasonably well. They gained valuable experience playing the Purple League. However, they lacked international exposure and this is the launching pad for better things to come in their badminton career.
“We need some senior players with international exposure to guide them. For the next Purple League we are looking at players from India, Thailand, Indonesia, Hong Kong.
“We have not ruled out Vietnamese and Singapore players. However, without doubt we need a bigger budget. The new management is hoping for more sponsors to come on board and help Bangsar Hawks establish themselves a badminton powerhouse.”
This year Bangsar Hawks budget was only RM200,000.
And financial constraints were a stumbling block this year but the Bangsar Hawks, with the new management taking the Purple League seriously, have vowed to comeback stronger.
Bangsar Hawks made a roaring start to the Purple League with a win over Kajang BC but it turned out to be the only win for the team.
And Razif knows the reason for the sudden slump and it all started when the Purple League took a break for the Christmas and New Year holidays.
“The players returned from the break unfit. They probably had too much good food to celebrate. Lack of fitness affected their play and we paid dearly,” said Razif, who was not involved in the inaugural Purple League.
Nusajaya BC’s Thailand international Boonsak Ponsana paved the way for his team’s win with a 10-11, 11-10, 11-4, 11-9 win over young Indonesian Thomi Azizan Mahbub in a 37 minute battle.
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RESULTS
Nusajaya BC beat Bangsar Hawks BC 12-7
Chong Yee Han beat Wan Mas Ami Wan Sidek 7-11, 11-2, 11-10, 11-4
Lee Ying Ying beat Lee Zhii Yii 11-8, 11-9, 11-9
Cheah Yee See-Tan Jinn Hwa lost to Muhammad Amzzar Zainuddin-Weni Anggriani 9-11, 9-11, 9-11
Goh Soon Huat-Teo Kok Siang beat Agrippina Primahrahmato Putera-Irfan Fadhila 6-11, 9-11, 11-9, 11-9, 11-6
Boonsak Ponsana beat Thomi Azizan Mahbub 10-11, 11-10, 11-4, 11-9
