WITH the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris just a week away, the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) vice-president Datuk Kah Kau Kiak is looking forward to seeing the national shuttlers achieve success.
The greatest sports extravaganza on earth, starting from July 26 to Aug 11, will be a platform for the national shuttlers to shine on the global stage.
Malaysia will be sending a total of 26 athletes for the Paris Games, including eight badminton players: Lee Zii Jia (men’s singles), Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik (men’s doubles), Goh Jin Wei (women’s singles), Pearly Tan-Thinaah Muralitharan (women’s doubles) and Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei (mixed doubles).
No Malaysian has so far ever won a gold medal in the Olympics since Malaysia first participated in it in Melbourne in 1956.
Kah, who serves as the president of the Penang Badminton Association (PBA), is set to depart for Paris on July 25.
In an interview with Buletin Mutiara at the PBA office in Bukit Dumbar, Kah shared his excitement to be part of the delegation.
“It is everyone’s dream to be part of the Olympic team. I am delighted to be able to participate in the biggest sporting event.
“We’re still chasing the elusive Olympic gold medal after 68 years. I’m optimistic about our players’ ability to shine. They have trained intensely for the Games. My advice for them is to remain calm and give their best,” Kah said.
Malaysian athletes have won a total of 13 Olympic medals, nine of which were contributed by badminton players.
Kah vividly recalled that at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics in Brazil, he witnessed Datuk Lee Chong Wei, Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong, and Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying win silver medals in the men’s singles, men’s doubles and mixed doubles respectively. It was the best-ever performance by the Malaysian badminton team in the Olympics.
At the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, Malaysia’s men’s doubles pair of Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik won the bronze medal.
For the upcoming Paris Games, Kah believes Lee Zii Jia, the 2024 Thailand Open winner, and Soh-Chia, the 2022 World doubles champions, can qualify from the group stage with their current form, while the other shuttlers have to raise their game to enter the last 16.
Kah also has high hopes for 24-year-old Jin Wei, the only shuttler from Penang to participate in the Paris Olympics.
Last week, Jin Wei received RM20,000 from the Penang Badminton Association and RM5,000 from the state government ahead of the Paris Games.
“She is our role model no matter what the outcome is. She is an independent player. Our contribution is a way to show our support for her. We wish her all the best in the Olympics, which is a great platform for her to showcase her talent,” Kah said.
“I have watched Jin Wei grow up. She was a very promising player. At the age of eight, she defeated players older than her to finish as the runner-up in the Penang Under-12 Championship.
“At the age of 14, she won the gold medal in Sukma (Malaysian Games for Under-21). Later, she went on to clinch two World junior titles, making her a future star to watch.
“But unfortunately, she suffered a stomach ailment that required surgery. It has greatly affected her physically. After a lay-off, she made a comeback and we’re proud that this time, she has achieved her dream of competing in the Olympics.
“No matter what, we wish her all the best and win glory for the country and the state.”
On another matter, Kah said the Penang Badminton Association has planned a grand celebration for its 100th anniversary next year. Formed in 1925 during the British colonial era, it is the oldest badminton association in Malaysia.
“It will be slated to take place at the Spice Convention Centre in Bayan Lepas on Nov 20 next year. We expect to have more than 100 tables and thousands of people present.
“We expect representatives from the Badminton World Federation (BWF) to be present, alongside other well-known shuttlers,” he said.
PBA will also hold an exhibition during the banquet, showcasing photos and videos of the PBA’s journey, as well as trophies and rackets.
It is also preparing to launch a limited-edition racket charity sale to raise funds for the association. Signed by famous players, the 200 racquets are tentatively priced at RM1,000 each.
Apart from that, various tournaments are expected to take place to commemorate the centenary celebrations, starting with the National Under-12, Under-14 and Under-18 Championships in December this year. The organisers expect more than 500 participants for the tournament.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Law Suun Ting