Honoured: Aaron Chia (left) and Soh Wooi Yik continues to enoy monetary rewards for winning the bronze at the Paris Olympics. — Bernama
PETALING JAYA: Top men’s doubles pair Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik have pledged to stay on with the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) until 2028 Los Angeles Olympics after receiving an incentive of RM250,000 but Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani have decided to move on.
BAM have an incentive of RM125,000 for the Paris bronze medal winners but this time, Aaron-Wooi Yik don’t have to share. The duo, who finished third in Paris, get to take the whole sum individually.
Aaron-Wooi Yik had to share RM120,000 for winning bronze at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
On Thursday, Sports Minister Hannah Yeah had also announced the pair would receive RM100,000 each compared to the RM120,000 they had to share between them under the National Sports Council (NSC) Shakam reward scheme.
They have also received a Cherry Tiggo Pro 7 sports untility vehicle worth RM123,800 each.
Aaron said they were grateful to outgoing BAM president Tan Sri Norza Zakaria.
“We are grateful to BAM and Tan Sri Norza for all the unconditional support we have received all the way through our ups and downs,” said the 27 year-old Aaron.
“Tan Sri was like a business partner who never gave up on us and always kept believing in us.
“We will continue fighting for the country, BAM and ourselves until the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.”
Having already signed a contract to remain with BAM for another Olympic cycle until 2028 Wooi Yik said he was on the same wavelength with Aaron and wants to remain faithful with the association on a longer run.
“We believe we can benefit in many aspects by staying with BAM as they have the best coaches, facilities. These things are crucial for us to remain as the top players. We are also not young anymore and need that stability,” said Wooi Yik.
Sze Fei-Izzuddin however, have decided to take a different path and turn professionals.
Sze Fei-Izzuddin were given a second chance to play as a pair by national coaching director Rexy Mainaky in June last year after they briefly went separate ways as the Indonesian urged them to fight for a place in the Paris Olympics.
Although they managed to work their way into the top 20 but the world No. 12 failed to make the cut to join world No. 3 Aaron-Wooi Yik to the Games.
“Sze Fei-Izzuddin will always have our support even though they will become a professional pair. I believe being on their own, they will also be more independent and continue chasing new goals,” said Rexy.
“When I gave them the chance to combine again, I wanted them to fight for the Olympics and they did come close.
“Although they are an independent pair, they are also playing for Malaysia and we will consider them for Thomas Cup and other selected events as long as they can maintain their performance.”
Sze Fei-Izzuddin will officially begin their career as an independent pair beginning Sept 1.
