MAKE Penang ‘home of the champions’ again.
That was the strong message delivered by Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow to the Penang Badminton Association (PBA) as it marked its 100th anniversary with a grand gala dinner at the Setia SPICE Convention Centre today.
“As Chief Minister, I want to see Penang lead again in badminton. I want to see the next Olympians, the next Malaysian All England champions, and the next Thomas Cup heroes come from Penang.
“I know this is not impossible. Penang has produced world champions before. Penang can do it again. But we must work together,” Chow said in his speech before some 2,000 attendees at the centennial celebration.
He urged PBA to work closely with the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) to identify young talent early, provide quality training, and build strong pathways for athletes to progress, from beginner level all the way to international competition.
“We have the history. We have the talent. We have the passion. Now, let us shape the future.
“Let Penang continue to be the home of champions — champions who will make Malaysia proud and carry our legacy forward,” Chow stressed.
Chow noted that since 1925, PBA has grown from a small organisation into a significant force for uniting communities, building friendships, strengthening families, and shaping Penang’s identity.
“Your hard work has made badminton a true symbol of Penang pride. This is a proud moment for the association and a meaningful moment for Penang. A hundred years is something very rare, and it deserves to be remembered and celebrated,” he said.
He described Penang as the “cradle of national badminton champions”, a title earned through decades of dedication and excellence by past legends such as Law Teik Hock, Ooi Teik Hock, Datuk Eddy Choong, Datuk David Choong, Datuk Teh Kew San, Datuk Tan Aik Huang, Datuk Yew Cheng Hoe, Lim Say Hup, and Johnny Heah.
“They helped put Penang and Malaysia on the world stage, winning major tournaments like the Thomas Cup and the All England.
“Later generations continued this legacy — players like Ong Ewe Hock, Chew Choon Eng, and, of course, Penang’s most famous player, Datuk Seri Lee Chong Wei.
“Our women players also made us proud, from Datin Ng Mei Ling to Chin Ee Hui and Goh Jin Wei.
“These champions showed the world the Penang spirit: discipline, hard work, and the desire to always improve,” Chow added.
He emphasised that badminton in Penang is not just the domain of champions but a sport enjoyed by enthusiasts of all ages.
He said the game holds a special place because it brings people together and is accessible almost everywhere — in landed homes, school halls, community courts, and even open spaces between apartment blocks.
This, he noted, makes badminton a sport of unity that aligns with the Penang2030 vision for a healthy, happy, and family-focused state.
Chow said sports are not just for leisure but help forge a strong society. He added that organisations like PBA instil important values in the young — discipline, teamwork, respect, and resilience.
He thanked all leaders, coaches, volunteers, players, and supporters who contributed to PBA’s century-long journey.
“To the Penang Badminton Association, congratulations on your 100th anniversary. May the next century be filled with more success, more unity, and more champions,” he concluded.
Several state leaders and luminaries were present at the gala dinner, including Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh, Human Resources Minister Steven Sim, state Sports, Youth and Health Committee chairman Gooi Zi Sen, Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) president Tan Sri Dr Mohamad Norza Zakaria, Penang BA president Datuk Kah Kau Kiak and Datuk Seri Lee Chong Wei.
Badminton World Federation president Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul and Badminton Association of Malaysia president Senator Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz were, however, unable to attend due to urgent matters.
In his speech, Sim paid special tribute to the late Datuk Eddy Choong — not only for his badminton achievements but also for triumphing over racial discrimination in the West during his playing days in the 1930s.
“Eddy Choong showed that we can punch above our weight, proving to the world that Malaysia can excel regardless of our skin colour. He made our country proud.
“And 50 years later, in 1982, Penang witnessed another legend in Datuk Seri Lee Chong Wei.
“We are the state of champions — Eddy Choong, Lee Chong Wei, Chan Peng Soon, Ong Ewe Hock, Ong Ewe Chye, Goh Jin Wei, and many more.
“They set a culture of dedication and excellence, punching above their weight to show Penang can raise so many giants.
“We don’t want to look at the past, but appreciate the past and look forward and plan for the next 50 years, or the next 100,” Sim said.
In his address, Kah said the centennial celebration was an opportunity to honour the past, celebrate the present, and embrace the future.
He said 100 years ago, in 1925, a group of visionaries planted a seed in Penang, believing badminton could be more than a pastime — it could be a passion, a platform, and a point of pride.
“They had no crystal ball. But they had conviction. And from their humble beginnings, the Penang Badminton Association was born. From colonial courts to kampung halls, from wooden racquets to Olympic podiums — Penang was where it all started. The cradle of champions. The heartbeat of a movement,” Kah said proudly
He also paid tribute to the giants who paved the way, including the late Datuk Eddy Choong, the late Datuk David Choong, the late Ooi Teik Hock, the late Low Teik Hock, Datuk Teh Kew San, Datuk Tan Aik Huang, Chan Peng Soon, Saw Swee Leong, Goh Jin Wei, Datuk Seri Lee Chong Wei, and many others.
“All of them have made Penang proud. Their names are not just etched in record books — they are etched in our hearts. They carried our flag to the Thomas Cup, the All England, and the world stage. Their victories lifted a nation. Their spirit inspired generations,” Kah said.
He extended his appreciation to state leaders, national partners, sponsors, coaches, volunteers, and families for their unwavering support throughout PBA’s journey.
“We often say ‘Penang Leads’. That is the motto of our beloved state. For a century, we have led with passion. Now we must lead with purpose.
“Our players are not just champions on court, but champions in character. We will invest, collaborate, and innovate. Because leading is not about being first — it is about showing the way forward,” he said.
Both Yeoh and Dr Mohamad Norza also commended PBA for its contributions to the development of Malaysian badminton and its success in inspiring many to take up the sport.
To make the centennial celebration even more memorable, PBA also successfully organised the inaugural Century Cup at the PBA Hall in Bukit Dumbar, featuring several former star players, including Japan’s badminton legend Kento Momota. The association also held a Hall of Fame Exhibition at the convention centre, showcasing trophies and memorabilia from legendary Penang and Malaysian shuttlers.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Siew Chia En
Video by Darwina Mohd Daud
