PENANGITE Goh Jin Wei, an Olympic-bound shuttler, received a significant financial boost before the Paris Games, which commence on July 27.
The Penang Badminton Association (PBA) donated RM20,000 and the state government contributed RM5,000 to her at a ceremony held at the Penang Badminton Hall in Bukit Dumbar today.
Jin Wei, 24, was present to receive the cheque from state Youth, Sports and Health Committee chairman Daniel Gooi Zi Sen and PBA president Datuk Kah Kau Kiak.
An independent player currently ranked 32 in the world, she qualified for the Olympics as the top Malaysian women’s player.
In his speech before the cheque presentation, Gooi thanked PBA for its kind gesture to assist its athletes. He added the Penang State Sports Council will also do whatever it can to assist deserving athletes.
“We’re proud that she qualified for the tournament on merit. I hope she will obtain a good result.
“No pressure, no stress. Just do your best and we’re all behind you,” Gooi advised Jin Wei.
Kah also wished Jin Wei the best, highlighting her resilience and determination.
“She has fought very hard after going through medical problems. She stays firm in her dreams and aspirations. I hope this will spur our athletes to follow in her footsteps and never give up.
“PBA will always stay by her in the future. We wish her good results and all the best,” Kah said in his speech.
Also present at the cheque presentation were Seri Delima assemblyman Connie Tan, Pulau Tikus assemblyman Joshua Woo, Penang State Sports Council director Harry Chai, and several PBA Council members, including secretary Leong Kin Weng, and Penang State Sports Council sports development officer Noor Falissa Shabudin.
Jin Wei, a two-time former world junior champion, expressed her gratitude to both PBA and the state government.
“I am deeply touched by the financial aid and I am thankful to them. I hope to qualify for the last 16 and I will give my all during the tournament,” Jin Wei said.
Jin Wei had earlier expressed her dissatisfaction when her coach of three years, Nova Amanda of Indonesia, could not accompany her to the Olympic Games.
The BA of Malaysia, in response, explained that Nova’s absence was due to limited accreditation passes issued by the International Olympic Committee.
Moreover, Nova has been tasked to prepare Cheah Like Hou and Fareez Anuar for the Paralympics. The BAM also stated that its coaching director Rexy Mainaky would be able to guide her in Paris.
Jin Wei has yet to know who her opponents will be in the round-robin format but can expect one of the eight seeded players in her group. The draw will be made today.
Demonstrating her dedication and fighting spirit, Jin Wei changed into her badminton gear and underwent an hour-long training session with her long-time coach Raslan Abdullah at the PBA Hall soon after the cheque presentation ceremony.
She knows that to perform well in Paris, she must elevate her game, having fallen in the first round of several international championships this year.
Story and pix by K.H. Ong