The participants of the tournament. BINTULU: Aspiring achievers in the international badminton arena can reach their dreams if they put their wholehearted effort into it and refuse to give up, whatever the challenges. "Whatever you do, do not do it halfway. There is no point giving yourself a good start but without any good ending," said Bintulu MP Dato Seri Tiong King Sing in his advice to local badminton players. Opening the Inter-Division Sarawak Closed and Veteran Badminton Championship 2002 here Friday evening, he urged badminton players to put their heart and mind into what they are doing in order to achieve success. "I hope in days to come, Sarawak will produce high caliber sportsmen and sportswomen who will excel in badminton and represent the State, and even the country on international arenas," he said. After all, he added, Sarawak has produced excellent sportsmen and sportswomen over the years. Sarawakians must believe that 'Sarawak Boleh' and here in Bintulu, "Bintulu Boleh', he stressed. Tiong added that it is a worthwhile effect to hold this badminton championship about the same time when the country is still rejoicing in its victory during the recent Commonwealth Games in Manchester, bagging seven golds, nine silvers and 18 bronzes. He also congratulated the Bintulu Badminton Association for taking the initiative to organise this state-level event. "I believe that this association has the vision and capability of organising on a larger scale in the form of national-level or even international-level championship," he said. The organising chairman Yek Siew Liong in his speech hoped the championship will bring out the players' potential as they try to do their best in the tournament. "I hope this competition does not divide us but bring us closer together as we sharpen our skills, learn from each other and encourage one another in this sports," he said. Through this locally organised championship, Yek, who is also President of the Bintulu Badminton Association, he hoped it could help maintain the standard of badminton in Malaysia as well. A total of five teams from Miri, Sarikei, Bintulu, Limbang and Kuching are participating in the four-day tournament. Among the participants are six badminton players to represent Sarawak in the coming SUKMA IX. They are competing in the Singles, Doubles and Mixed Doubles Categories on Aug 17 and 18. The tournament closing will be graced by Bintulu District Officer Philip Ho Thian Huat. Meanwhile, former world champion Han Jian will be here for a day's badminton coaching clinic, also to be held at Stadium Muhibbah this coming Sunday. Members of the public are invited to come for the event to be held from 9am to 12 noon, and from 2pm to 4pm. Han Jian's coming here is arranged by the Youth and Sports Department.