THE racquets signed by three-time World silver medallist Datuk Seri Lee Chong Wei, offered for sale during the Penang Badminton Association’s (PBA) 100th Anniversary, proved to be highly sought after.
PBA president Datuk Kah Kau Kiak revealed that the 200 racquets were sold for a total of RM200,000, with proceeds supporting the association’s centennial celebrations and development programmes.
“Each racquet was sold at RM1,000, and all the 200 limited-edition racquets were snapped up within three days. We had such an overwhelming response. Initially, we thought we might not sell them all. When all were sold out, I believe that if we had 500 racquets, they would have been sold as well,” Kah told Buletin Mutiara in an interview.
On the market, the Yonex Nanoflare 700 Pro racquet, retailing between RM750 and RM790, was provided to the PBA at special discounts through direct sponsors. The racquet is also used by top Korean doubles players Seo Seung-jae and Kim Won-ho.
Kah expressed relief that the centennial celebration concluded successfully after months of preparation, buoyed by strong support from various quarters.
“The success of this historic celebration was made possible through the collective efforts of our guests, sponsors, media partners, organising committee members, and volunteers.
“The presence of leaders from home and abroad, representatives of the badminton community, and former badminton stars added prestige to the event, symbolising the sport’s unity and legacy across generations and borders,” Kah said in a statement.
He added that the highly anticipated Hall of Fame Exhibition allowed guests to revisit Penang badminton’s glorious history. “The exhibits were precious and deeply meaningful. The preparatory team worked tirelessly and earned the trust and support of the veterans, which is truly deserving of heartfelt appreciation,” he said.
Kah emphasised that the centennial celebration not only honoured the past, but also marked an important starting point for the future.
“The Penang Badminton Association will continue to promote badminton development, nurture young players, and work towards establishing a permanent exhibition gallery to preserve the sport’s spirit and century-old legacy,” Kah concluded.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Siew Chia En