Search for a second Chong Wei continues

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PENANG will cast its net far and wide to search for a second Lee Chong Wei, says state Youth and Sports Committee chairman Soon Lip Chee.

He said he was glad to see the spirited display of many young players, including those under the age of 12, in the just concluded Penang Olympic Carnival 2019 badminton championships held at the MBPP Sports Complex in Relau.

“The Penang Olympic Carnival badminton tournament is a good platform for them to shine. I would like to thank their parents for giving them the support,” Soon said in his speech at the closing ceremony of the tournament yesterday.

“Lee Chong Wei had announced his retirement recently and we will continue to find another Lee Chong Wei. We hope Malaysia can win its first gold medal in the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.

“One day, we also hope that we can have someone from Penang to be the World No. 1 badminton player again.”

Soon congratulating Swee Khoon during the prize-giving ceremony for the Men’s Open singles. Looking on are Kam Fook (second from left) and Kua Soo Huan.

Soon congratulated all the winners and said that for those who lost, there would the ‘sports for all’ programme and other tournaments to look forward to.

Also present were Batu Uban assemblyman A. Kumaresan, Olympic Council of Malaysia vice-president Datuk Ong Poh Eng, Penang Badminton Association president Kah Kau Kiak, Penang State Sports Council director Frederick Tan Teck An and his deputy Cheah Ban Cheng.

Kumaresan said badminton has always been the favourite sport for the locals as seen by the 779 entries received for the Under-12, Under-18 and Open categories.

He also commended Chong Wei for putting Malaysia on the world map with his string of achievements and hoped that the teenagers would emulate his dedication and sacrifices.

The Boys’ Singles Under-18 winners – champion Darrell Chew Seng Xian, second-placed S’ng Wei Ming and third-placed Goi Zi Chyan – posing for a photo with Kumaresan after receiving the prizes from him.

During the recent opening ceremony of the Olympic Carnival volleyball tournament, Soon had revealed that Chong Wei and 2018 world junior champion Goh Jin Wei would be among the participants of the Torch Run during the Olympic Day Celebration on June 23 at the Esplanade.

In the Penang Olympic Carnival badminton championships proper, Ooi Swee Khoon won the Men’s Singles Open by beating Ng Kam Fook 21-16, 21-13.

Both players, who are coaches at their respective badminton academy, delighted the crowd with their repertoire of strokes but Swee Khoon, 35, increased the pace towards the end to triumph over his opponent who was 10 years his senior.

The Girls’ Doubles Under-18 winners smile as they pose with Tan at the prize-giving ceremony.

Chiam Xue Qi, who represented Swee Khoon’s team known as OSK Sports Centre, took the Women’s Singles Open with a hard-earned 16-21, 21-13, 21-17 victory over Tan Sze Ting.

Both Swee Khoon and Xue Qi scored a double success as they had earlier teamed up to win the Mixed Doubles Open by beating their teammates Teh Sheng Li-Tan Wai Ling 21-12, 21-16.

Promising Tan Zhi Shen was another shuttler to win two titles after beating his twin brother Zhi Yang in the Boys’ Singles Under-12 (21-10, 15-10, retired). The two Year Six pupils from SRJK (C) Phei Shin had earlier won the Boys’ Doubles Under-12 by overcoming Chew Zu Yenn-Nixon Ang Jia Shuin 23-21, 21-10.

 

Results (All Finals):

Boys’ Singles U-12: Tan Zhi Shen (PBA) bt Tan Zhi Yang (PBA) 21-10, 15-10, rtd.

Girls’ Singles U-12: Oo Shan Zi (PBA) bt Christine Lam Mei He (PBA) 21-18, 21-17.

Boys’ Doubles U-12: Tan Zhi Shen-Tan Zhi Yang (PBA) bt Chew Zu Yenn-Nixon Ang Jia Shuin (PBA) 23-21, 21-10.

Girls’ Doubles U-12: Christine Lam Mei He-Oo Shan Zi (PBA) bt Lim Zhi Shin-Nicole Tan Pei En (PBA) 21-14, 21-16.

Boys’ Singles U-18: Darrell Chew Sen Xian (SMK Bagan Jaya) bt S’Ng Wei Ming (Lee KS Badminton Academy) 21-12, 22-20.

Girls’ Singles U-18: Tan Xin Zon (PBA) bt Tan Mei Xin (PBA) 18-21, 21-18, 21-13.

Boys’ Doubles U-18: Chee Yik Shen-Ong Yang Sheng (Lee KS Badminton Academy) bt Goi Zi Chun-Ooi Yi Yong (YY Sport) 21-14, 21-13.

Girls’ Doubles U-18: Kok Yee Ern-Tan Xin Zon (PBA) bt Erin Tan E-Sann-Hoo Yi Ting (KTA Sports) 21-5, 21-10.

Men’s Singles Open: Ooi Swee Khoon (OSK Sport Centre) bt Ng Kam Fook (Farlim YB Yeoh Badminton Team) 21-16, 21-13.

Women’s Singles Open: Chiam Xue Qi (OSK Sport Centre) bt Tan Sze Ting (WSO) 16-21, 21-13, 21-17.

Men’s Doubles Open: Lim Chun Ming-Ng Wei Shun (Siamkia Badminton Academy) bt Andrew Teoh Teng Hock-Ang Teik Yong (OSK Sport Centre) 21-17, 21-15.

Women’s Doubles Open: Tan Wai Ling-Tan Yee Mei (OSK Sport Centre) bt Irene Lee Chai Leng-Thong Tze Chyi (OSK Sport Centre) 21-19, 12-21, 23-21.

Mixed Doubles U-18: Tan Yi Han-Tan Xin Zon (PBA) bt Edwin Tan E-Min-Erin Tan E-Sann (KTA Sports) 21-7, 21-5.

Mixed Doubles Open: Ooi Swee Khoon-Chiam Xue Qi (OSK Sport Centre) bt Teh Sheng Li-Tan Wai Ling (OSK Sport Centre) 21-12, 21-16.

 

Story by K.H. Ong