Liew (left) presenting the mock cheque of RM10,000 to Loh (right), while Gooi (second right) and Kah look on. — Courtesy photo
SOME big names from the local scene are expected to attend the Penang Badminton Association’s (PBA) 100th anniversary celebration this year.
PBA president Datuk Kah Kau Kiak said 2016 Rio Olympics mixed-doubles silver medallist Chan Peng Soon and independent player Goh Jin Wei were among the distinguished guests expected at the dinner.
All past and present Penang state players, as well as Malaysian Thomas and Uber Cuppers, are to join the event – themed ‘100 Years of Glory and Celebration’– at the Setia SPICE Convention Centre on Nov 22, 2025.
“PBA is 100 years old this year, and we want to celebrate this significant milestone in a big and proper way.
“Penang has a rich badminton legacy with contributions and achievements from players like Datuk Eddy Choong, Datuk David Choong, Datuk Teh Kew San, Datuk Yew Cheng Hoe, Yew Cheng Hock, Ng Tat Wai, Datuk Lee Chong Wei, Datuk Tan Aik Huang, Tan Aik Mong, Saw Swee Leong, Ho Khim Soon, Ong Ewe Hock, Ong Ewe Chye, Khor Lay See, Lee Yin Yin, Lim Siew Choon and many others.
“We want to acknowledge and appreciate these stars, even though some of them have passed on,” he said after attending the opening of the 100Plus Interstate Under-12 and Under-16 Team Championships 2024 at the Penang Badminton Hall in Bukit Dumbar.
PBA, which was established in 1925, is Malaysia’s oldest badminton association.
It is 10 years older than the Badminton World Federation (BWF) and nine years older than the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM).
Kah said besides the players, prominent figures from the BWF, BAM and the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) would also be invited to the gala dinner featuring 150 to 200 tables.
Kah said PBA also planned to produce 200 special-edition badminton racquets featuring the autographs of leading badminton players as part of its fundraising initiatives.
He said they were also considering a commemorative book chronicling the achievements of the association and its players.
Kah added that PBA had aimed to raise between RM800,000 and RM1mil ahead of the grand centennial celebration this year.
As of Nov 20, 2024, PBA had received more than RM110,000 from 36 individual well-wishers, donors and organisations.
Several donors were on hand to present mock cheques to PBA treasurer Loh Eng Swee during the event at Bukit Dumbar.
Kah himself donated RM10,000, while well-wisher Jack Liew also contributed RM10,000.
“We want to express our deep appreciation to all the generous donors for supporting the 100th anniversary dinner, which is fully endorsed by the state government,” said Kah, who is also BAM’s vice-president.
Also present were state youth and sports committee chairman Daniel Gooi Zi Sen and BAM’s vice-president cum Negri Sembilan Badminton Association president Datuk Ng Chin Chai.
Gooi congratulated PBA on its upcoming centenary celebration and wished them success.
He said following the Paris Olympics, badminton in Malaysia had experienced a resurgence, with many people picking up racquets and returning to the sport, leading to a badminton craze that resulted in crowded badminton halls.
“This is a positive thing, and it shows that society is becoming increasingly aware of the importance of maintaining an active and healthy lifestyle through sports.
“Badminton not only improves physical fitness but also helps to develop team spirit and mental resilience,” he said.
