Vital work: Lee Chong Wei (right) is ready to play the motivator to upcoming stars like Ng Tze Yong.
PETALING JAYA: Former world No. 1 Datuk Lee Chong Wei’s role as a member of the Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM) Technical Advisory Panel is not to overshadow but to inspire the current generation of shuttlers.
Chong Wei, Malaysia’s most decorated shuttler with three Olympic silver medals (2008, 2012 and 2016), was one of seven shuttlers appointed by the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) for the panel.
The other shuttlers in the 14-member panel are Ong Ewe Hock, Roslin Hashim, Koo Kien Keat, Tan Boon Heong, Datuk Seri Jalani Sidek and Datuk Cheah Soon Kit.
The other members of the panel are BAM president Tan Sri Norza Zakaria, who will serve as chairman, National Sports Council director-general Datuk Ahmad Shapawi Ismail, National Sports Institute chief executive officer Ahmad Faedzal Ramli, former National Sports Insitute CEO Datuk Dr Ramlan Abd Aziz, BAM secretary-general Datuk Kenny Goh as well as BAM council members Datuk Teoh Teng Chor and Datuk Ng Chin Chai.
“We have accepted this invitation to be part of the technical advisory panel where we want to help in whichever way that we can to help BAM develop players for the future,” said Chong Wei.
“We are not here to compare the results and achievements of our generation with the current generation but our role is to share our experience and inspire the players. I will go all the way to contribute to the future of badminton in the country.
“We want to share our experience as players. I have been with BAM for 19 years, I think I’m the longest with them, and hope that what I and other players will share can help and inspire the players.
“The panel have seven players and all of us have different experiences and a wealth of information and knowledge to share.”
There were some quarters who claimed that Chong Wei’s presence will add pressure but the 40-year-old shuttler insists he is in the panel to give back to the sport that made him a global superstar.
“There have been people who commented that ‘Datuk Wira Lee Chong Wei’s return could increase the pressure on the players’. That’s not our aim,” added Chong Wei.
“We are not going to pressure the players to achieve the same results we achieved but to just give some pointers on how we managed to do it in different tournaments at different levels.
“We know that not everything will be adopted by BAM or the players but we will be happy if our inputs bring about positive results.
“We can’t say much now as the first meeting will only take place later. We will have a clear idea after two or three meetings to come up with some solutions and ideas in moving forward.”
Chong Wei has often provided personal help to current and former players and he will be more than glad to do the same in a formal capacity in the panel.
