Malaysia player, Cheam June Wei in action during against Singapore player, Jason Teh at the Bergamot KL Masters Malaysia Super 100 2023 at Stadium Titiwangsa on November 01.—AZMAN GHANI/The Star
PETALING JAYA: Cheam June Wei's career was on shaky ground after losing the support of his main sponsors Fusionex since June but former international Ong Ewe Hock has come to the independent shuttler’s rescue.
Ewe Hock had offered a troubled June Wei to join his club Serdang BC and has also secured a one-year sponsorship deal from his club’s sponsors RedOne.
The former Thomas Cupper will also coach June Wei as the shuttler has left Sports Affairs where he was training under Indonesian Nova Armada. June Wei, ranked world No. 60, said he wasn’t able to concentrate on his performance after his previous contract with Fusionex ended on May 31 and he was forced to use his own funding after that.
He was grateful that Ewe Hock offered to assist him as a coach and secure a sponsorship. "Fusionex did not extend the contract although there were negotiations and I had to use my own funds to compete since June.
The uncertainty over my future affected my performance since then," said the 26-year-old June Wei during the KL Masters at the Titiwangsa Stadium yesterday.
"However, I was fortunate as Ewe Hock agreed to help me and I have been training with him for the last two weeks. He has also helped me to secure a new sponsor to ease my worries.
"The last five months had practically ended my chances of trying to qualify for the 2024 Olympics but with this new opportunity, I would like to get back into the top 30 again."
Ewe Hock, who was at the stadium to guide June Wei during his second-round match against Jason Teh, said he is willing to help support committed shuttlers to prolong their careers.
Although June Wei lost 8-21, 10-21 as he was bothered by knee injuries that he picked up after the Asian Games in Hangzhou, Ewe Hock said the shuttler can now make use of a second chance to rebuild his career.
Ewe Hock has been known to help players who have left the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) set-up and has assisted Soniia Cheah and Goh Jin Wei in the past.
“We have to support these players who are still willing to play on the international stage. As a player, I left BAM twice and I know how hard it is to survive outside there,” said Ewe Hock.
“When June Wei came to me, I told him that I will find a sponsor for him if he is serious about prolonging his career by giving full commitment as a player.
“Now that he will receive the support from RedOne, definitely, there is a target for him in the first year where he needs to try and reach the top 30."
Although the contract has not been officially signed yet, Ewe Hock has assured that the sponsorship will become official soon and June Wei should continue his career again.
Meanwhile, local hopeful Leong Jun Hao and Aidil Sholeh Sadikin Ali advanced to the third round in the men’s singles of the KL Masters yesterday. Jun Hao defeated Choi Pyeong-gang of South Korea 21-13, 21-14 while Aidil defeated Huang Yu-kai of Taiwan 21-15, 21-12 in their second round matches.
