THE Penang state government is receptive to a proposal of building a badminton academy in the state to help produce more talents for the country.
“The state government is ready to work and cooperate with the Penang Badminton Association (PBA) and the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) to realise their dream of having a badminton academy. We will wait for further discussions,” Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow told reporters after opening the Victor Malaysia International Series 2018 at the PBA Badminton Hall in Bukit Dumbar today.
Also present were BAM president Datuk Seri Norza Zakaria, Badminton Asia Confederation secretary general Dr Greg Kim of South Korea, BAM secretary Datuk Ng Chin Chai, PBA president Kah Kau Kiak and PBA secretary Leong Kin Weng.
Chow also said he is happy to hear from Norza that badminton ace Datuk Lee Chong Wei is making good recovery after undergoing treatment for nasal cancer in Taiwan recently.
“I, on behalf of the state government and the people of Penang, hope Datuk Lee recovers fast and is healed. We leave it to BAM and him to decide whether he wants to continue playing or not,” Chow said.
Norza said BAM and Chong Wei would most probably hold a press conference on Thursday to make an announcement.
“Many badminton fans have been waiting for the news. All will be up to Chong Wei. If he wants to continue playing, BAM will support him,” said Norza, who is also the Olympic Council of
Malaysia president.
“It was tough for him to endure chemo and proton therapy. But he’s a fighter and a hero, on and off the court. He is not giving up.”
Norza also thanked Chow for his support to having a badminton academy in Penang.
“It can be built on a three to five acres piece of land. That will be decided by a working committee,” Norza said.
“Penang has always been known as a badminton powerhouse, producing many players of calibre. We would like this production line for Malaysian badminton to keep going.
“I would like to thank the state government for agreeing to discuss on the setting up of a badminton academy that will not only cater for Penang but also the northern region. We need more such academies outside of Kuala Lumpur.”
Chow, in his speech earlier, congratulated PBA and BAM for hosting the international badminton tournament that has attracted 237 players from 17 countries. It ends on Nov 11.
The participants are from Thailand, Indonesia, China, Taiwan, India, South Korea, Mauritius, Laos, Brunei, England, Singapore, Australia, Canada, Chile, Pakistan, the Philippines and Malaysia.
“We have produced world class champions like the late Datuk Eddy Choong, the Tan brothers – Aik Huang and Aik Mong, Datuk Teh Kew San, Datuk Wira Lee Chong Wei, and most recently the newly crowned Olympic junior champion Goh Jin Wei.
“We hope the Penang Badminton Association will continue its noble efforts in training more world class shuttlers,” Chow said.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi
Video by Chan Kok Kuan