Badminton: Winners Court

Inside the hall. Partly shown of the total 16 courts available

I have always enjoyed playing badminton since my primary school days, to the point thatI have represented my primary school and the Kuching samarahan division to a number of trophies. My secondary school playing days are not as impressive and now, I just need it to keep fit, my agility and my reflexes in the best condition possible. Plus it is a healthy way to channel your anger and vent your frustrations that you face daily. I am doing it at least twice a week, every tuesday and friday night at the Winner's Court with a group of old timer friends.

Contents of the bag.... The preferred shuttlecocks would be Yang Yang Yellow (Thats what we call it) as it reliable and affordable (RM 48 per tube) within our skills and income. But now, it is quite hard to find Yang Yang Yellow in Kuching town lately as most shopkeepers would find it difficult to buy it in packages. I do not really get that, but assumed that it is costly to buy in bulks the amount of tubes pre determined by the manufacturer. Another brand coming up and making its present felt for reliability is the ProAce shuttlecocks. It is about RM 30-40 per tube.

Winner's Court is located at Arang Road. It has been there for quite a few years right now. Easily it has been 'the place' to go to play badminton in aroud Kuching, much like the Sports planet in Pending where futsal is played. Winner's court looks like a factory turned badminton hall boasting 16 courts, with a space of about 2 to 3 feet between 2 courts. Looks like the towkay is maximising his profits by minimising the walking space between the courts. Running the risk of getting ones head smashed like a shuttle cock, caution is needed when walking between the courts, better still, do not walk about unnecessarily betwen the courts at all if they are being used.

Post match break. It is all not about badminton only, but also a place to hang out and unwind from the daily schedule and to catch up with the latest group news. Sometimes (or most of the time) these friends of mine would arrange a post match supper at Benteng Satok to have a quick bowl of Kolok Mee and drinks to replenish the burned calories.

Courts need to booked in few days in advance, but at the moment last minute booking is still acceptable as there are always courts available. Rents cost about RM8 per hour, and at night frm 9pm onwards, it cost RM15 per hour. I understand that they have special pricing for the weekend bookings as well. They do have a small in house shop selling racquets, shuttlecocks and, hand and head bands. They do stringing as well. However, it is a little more expensive than the service and products sold in the main town. Unless you really cannot wait to string your racquet, it is not really advisable to string it there.

Futsal court at the adjacent building. Sorry for the poor illustration.

Apart from the badminton courts, there is also a newly built futsal court at the adjacent building. The rumblings of the floor planks of the futsal court placed on the first floor above the parking lots caused by the running players is just deafening. I am not too sure of the rent as well, but some friends mentioned that it was much cheaper than Sports planet.

Renewing old friendship and making new ones too. Varieties improves skills.

Other places to play badminton: Chinfu Methodist church, St Joseph's secondary school indoor stadium, SBA court in BDC, KPA court in Pending, PBB court in Petra Jaya and the Stutong court in Batu Kawah. The standard rates to rent a badminton court is usually about RM8 per hour. Some courts like the BDC Stampark court charges exorbitantly about RM 10 per hour. Really, its ok if you can afford it. Afterall, in the end, its the fun and the amount of calories burned that matters.