400 Kids Hit the Courts as Astro Kem Badminton Launches 2026 Tour

For many Malaysian children, badminton is more than just a sport, it’s a dream nurtured from a young age. That dream came alive once again as Astro Kem Badminton (AKB) 2026 launched its first coaching clinic in Selangor, welcoming hundreds of enthusiastic young players ready to learn, grow and be inspired.

Back for its 13th year, the beloved grassroots programme kicked off its first coaching clinic with energy, laughter and plenty of youthful ambition.

Organised by Astro in collaboration with the Ministry of Education (KPM), AKB continues its mission to uncover and nurture Malaysia’s next badminton stars. This year’s opening clinic, held on 22 April 2026, drew an impressive 400 participants, a testament to the programme’s enduring popularity among students, parents and educators alike. Adding extra buzz to the day was GOXUAN announcer Kryston, who had the students fully engaged with lively Q&A sessions and fun challenges. 

Image Credit: Astro

Since its inception in 2012, Astro Kem Badminton has trained more than 23,000 children nationwide, steadily cementing its role as a key platform for youth development. Open to boys and girls aged 10 to 12, the programme champions equal opportunities by ensuring all participants train under the same professional coaching standards.

Foo Su Lynn, Astro’s Director of Communications and Sustainability, shared the heart behind the initiative:

“We are proud to continue our collaboration with KPM on Astro Kem Badminton 2026. Our goals are aligned in shaping the next generation of Malaysian youth to become better athletes and well-rounded individuals.”

She added that the involvement of KPM-appointed coaches in every state, along with the introduction of new locations such as Miri, Sarawak, allows AKB to reach more students than ever before.

Image Credit: Astro

After Selangor, the AKB coaching clinics will travel across the country, stopping at:

• Johor (2–3 May) – Daiman Johor Jaya Sports Complex
• Sarawak (9–10 May) – Tung Sports, Miri
• Kuala Lumpur (15–17 May) – Arena Sukan Kuala Lumpur

At each stop, participants undergo structured training led by experienced, certified coaches. Beyond mastering technical skills like movement, coordination and game strategy, the programme places strong emphasis on character-building, instilling values such as courtesy, knowledge, resilience, skills and confidence (beradab, berilmu, berkemahiran, berdaya tahan dan berkeyakinan).

Each clinic wraps up with friendly matches, giving participants the chance to put their newly learnt skills into action, often cheered on by new friends and proud teachers.

For standout performers, the journey doesn’t stop there. Top talents from each state will be selected to attend a five-day AKB Selection Camp in Kuala Lumpur this July, with the chance to progress further into a regional training camp in December.

For parents looking to get their children active, disciplined and inspired, Astro Kem Badminton offers more than just sports training—it’s a formative experience. Interested participants aged 10 to 12 (born between 1 January 2014 and 31 December 2016) can register online or via a QR code.

Featured Image Credit: Astro