Malaysian Badminton icon Datuk Lee Chong Wei meets young fans 
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian sports icon Lee Chong Wei will quit the national badminton team after the 2012 London Olympics.
And with just a few good years ahead of him, Chong Wei is determined to maintain his good run in international tournaments to inspire young players to follow in his footsteps.
The world No. 1, who won opening two rounds of this season’s Super Series, the Korean and Malaysia Open tournaments, made a grand appearance yesterday at a leading hotel here to make it a memorable day for about 50 children, who won the Maxis Communications Bhd’s online contest on why they were Chong Wei’s greatest fans.
He attended the function with coach Misbun Sidek and both also presented badminton racquets to the winners.
Winning partnership: Maxis Chief Marketing Officer Matthew Willsher (centre) with Misbun Sidek and Lee Chong Wei at the signing ceremony Wednesday.Prior to the event, Maxis showed their appreciation for both their ambassadors by extending their one-year sponsorship for another year.
“I am so happy to be the icon to inspire many youngsters here,” said Chong Wei.
“If I can succeed as a badminton player, they can too.”
“It is rewarding to be a sportsmen. I hope to encourage many youngsters to take up sports.
“But nothing comes easy. Success comes with a lot of work, discipline and sacrifices. But they are all worthwhile.”
The 28-year-old Chong Wei’s concern to discover and fan the fire among new talent is understandable.
There is now a big gap in standard between Chong Wei and the back-up and Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) players.
That puts a big burden on his shoulders as he is depended on heavily to win honours for the country in international tournaments all the time.
He’s my No.1: Lee Chong Wei (centre) posing with the contest winners at a function in Kuala Lumpur Wednesday. Chong Wei said that he would do his part to lift the standard of the national back-up shuttlers.
Among the back-up shuttlers are Chan Kwong Beng, Tan Chun Seang, Chong Wei Feng, Liew Daren and Mohd Arif Abdul Latif.
“I have been playing all my life and I am thinking of retirement after the London Olympics,” he said.
“I have sacrificed a lot but I do not to plan to leave the team in the lurch. I will encourage the back-up shuttlers,” he said.
“At the same time, it is not right to put too much undue pressure on them. I know that they are trying their best.
“I will advise and try to inspire them in the best way I know.
“Sometimes, I hang out with them. I hope that they will also be able to learn from me during training. They have to be committed.
“There is talent in Kwong Beng and Chun Seang. I hope that they know this and work hard towards building a good future in badminton.”
On his last few years as a national player, Chong Wei is determined to nail the title that has eluded him.
“The next three years are important ones in my career. I want to help Malaysia win titles that they have not won before and stay focused in training,” said Chong Wei, who is gearing up to win a first All-England title.
“After that, I will probably look into new ventures, like what independent player Taufik Hidayat (from Indonesia) has done.”
Taufik is still playing on the international stage but at the same time he has started his own clothing line, the Taufik Hidayat Line. The former world and Olympic champion has also begun work to build a training centre for youngsters in Jakarta.
And with just a few good years ahead of him, Chong Wei is determined to maintain his good run in international tournaments to inspire young players to follow in his footsteps.
The world No. 1, who won opening two rounds of this season’s Super Series, the Korean and Malaysia Open tournaments, made a grand appearance yesterday at a leading hotel here to make it a memorable day for about 50 children, who won the Maxis Communications Bhd’s online contest on why they were Chong Wei’s greatest fans.
He attended the function with coach Misbun Sidek and both also presented badminton racquets to the winners.
Winning partnership: Maxis Chief Marketing Officer Matthew Willsher (centre) with Misbun Sidek and Lee Chong Wei at the signing ceremony Wednesday.“I am so happy to be the icon to inspire many youngsters here,” said Chong Wei.
“If I can succeed as a badminton player, they can too.”
“It is rewarding to be a sportsmen. I hope to encourage many youngsters to take up sports.
“But nothing comes easy. Success comes with a lot of work, discipline and sacrifices. But they are all worthwhile.”
The 28-year-old Chong Wei’s concern to discover and fan the fire among new talent is understandable.
There is now a big gap in standard between Chong Wei and the back-up and Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) players.
That puts a big burden on his shoulders as he is depended on heavily to win honours for the country in international tournaments all the time.
He’s my No.1: Lee Chong Wei (centre) posing with the contest winners at a function in Kuala Lumpur Wednesday. Among the back-up shuttlers are Chan Kwong Beng, Tan Chun Seang, Chong Wei Feng, Liew Daren and Mohd Arif Abdul Latif.
“I have been playing all my life and I am thinking of retirement after the London Olympics,” he said.
“I have sacrificed a lot but I do not to plan to leave the team in the lurch. I will encourage the back-up shuttlers,” he said.
“At the same time, it is not right to put too much undue pressure on them. I know that they are trying their best.
“I will advise and try to inspire them in the best way I know.
“Sometimes, I hang out with them. I hope that they will also be able to learn from me during training. They have to be committed.
“There is talent in Kwong Beng and Chun Seang. I hope that they know this and work hard towards building a good future in badminton.”
On his last few years as a national player, Chong Wei is determined to nail the title that has eluded him.
“The next three years are important ones in my career. I want to help Malaysia win titles that they have not won before and stay focused in training,” said Chong Wei, who is gearing up to win a first All-England title.
“After that, I will probably look into new ventures, like what independent player Taufik Hidayat (from Indonesia) has done.”
Taufik is still playing on the international stage but at the same time he has started his own clothing line, the Taufik Hidayat Line. The former world and Olympic champion has also begun work to build a training centre for youngsters in Jakarta.
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