Much to say: Goh Liu Ying (left) is being interviewed after launching the 3-on-3 badminton tournament at Sunway Velocity Mall in Cheras yesterday. — CHAN TAK KONG /The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: Former mixed doubles star Goh Liu Ying wants her juniors to do better than her at the SEA Games.
Liu Ying’s best individual achievement in the regional biennial Games is a silver medal won with Chan Peng Soon at the 2015 Singapore edition.
However, she was part of the women’s cast that won the team gold at the 2009 edition in Laos.
“Indonesia are always the strongest challengers for our players in the SEA Games,” said Liu Ying.
Liu Ying should know better as she went down fighting with Peng Soon against Praveen Jordan-Debby Susanto of Indonesia in the final that year.
“Although it will be tough for our players, I just want them to go all out and give their very best.”
Malaysia are fielding scratch mixed pairs Choong Hon Jian-Cheng Su Yin and Yap Roy King-Yap Ling for this year’s edition in Cambodia next month. Both pairs have a tall order to defend the gold won by Chen Tang Jie-Peck Yen Wei at the last edition in Hanoi.
Liu Ying, who did the country proud by winning a silver in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics with Peng Soon, has retired from the sport but has been busy organising events.
Yesterday, she successfully organised her second 3-on-3 badminton tournament and more are in the pipe line. In fact, she plans to spread her wings and organise marathon, bowling and diving tournaments in the future.
“I’m planning to not only organise more badminton tournaments but also other sporting competitions,” said Liu Ying.
“If I have the opportunity, I’ll be interested in having marathon, bowling and diving competitions in the future.’’
For now, Liu Ying wants to have more 3-on-3 badminton competitions.
“So far, I’ve had two 3-on-3 competitions and this is my second such event,” said Liu Ying after launching the tournament in Sunway Velocity Mall in Cheras yesterday.
“I’ve been trying to gauge the response for this event from badminton enthusiasts and so far, it has been good.
“More than 30 pairs registered for the event but we had to select only eight due to time constraints.
“There are many people who like to play 3-on-3 badminton.
“In the future, there can even be professional tournaments for this category.”
Liu Ying also has plans to organise singles and doubles tournaments for amateurs under her company Well Sport, co-owned with several others.
Yesterday, national men’s singles shuttler Ng Tze Yong, independent women’s singles and mixed doubles players Goh Jin Wei and Shevon Lai Jemie also took part in the tournament much to the joy of fans.
