WHEN you say Penang, the immediate thing that strikes the mind is food, but don’t forget that some of the world’s finest badminton players hailed from this state.
Badminton Asia president Anton Subowo said there should be no debate about food, and badminton in Penang due to the variation and outstanding achievements of former and current top players in the game.
“Penang is the heart of Badminton Asia. We are truly blessed to be given the privilege to host our programmes here in the past.
“And here we are again in this beautiful state to hold our gala dinner together with our strategic partners from far and near.
“Penang has been kind enough to host our Asia Olympic Project (AOP) player development initiative, Air Badminton programmes and many others in the past.
“Once again, we at Badminton Asia, would like to thank Penang and its wonderful people for hosting us.
“We look forward to future collaborations, especially in developing more players,” Anton said in his speech during the Badminton Asia Gala Dinner at Shangri-La’s Rasa Sayang Resort and Spa in Batu Ferringhi today.
Also present was Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who said Penang was proud to provide a venue for Badminton Asia to hold its gala dinner and hoped for more future collaborations to carry the legacy left behind by badminton greats.
“Badminton will always remain a very special sport in Penang and for its people because of the outstanding achievements of several badminton greats, who happened to be Penangites.
“We are talking about the likes of legendary and versatile former players like Datuk Teh Kew San and Datuk Lee Chong Wei.
“These icons have brought back so much glory and pride to their homegrown state. Moving forward, current and aspiring players have good reasons to stay motivated and carry the legacy left behind by some of these amazing former players.
“As a state that prioritises the well-being of its people, we have a very important component under the Penang2030 vision’s Theme A, which highlights the need to ‘Increase Liveability to Enhance Quality of Life’.
“I hope this fruitful collaboration between the Penang government, Badminton Asia and Badminton World Federation (BWF) can facilitate the development of badminton in Asia.
“The Penang government is very keen to cooperate with institutions in major sports development programmes,” Chow said in his speech.
Badminton Asia is the governing body of the badminton sport in Asia under the flagship of the Badminton World Federation (BWF).
As the governing body, Badminton Asia focuses on promoting, managing and developing the sport in Asia in principles of specificity and universality.
Also present during the dinner was state Youth and Sports Committee chairman Soon Lip Chee.
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix by Siew Chia En
Video by Alissala Thian