Badminton legend Datuk Seri Lee Chong Wei is planning to expand the Lee Chong Wei Cup (LCW Cup) next year by organising two tournaments, including an international edition involving overseas players.
The plan follows the successful first edition of the nine-day junior badminton tournament, which attracted around 2,200 players from across Malaysia in the Under-13, Under-15 and Under-17 categories.
The competition featured boys’ and girls’ singles, boys’ and girls’ doubles and mixed doubles.
Lee Chong Wei hopes to retain the domestic tournament while introducing an international event, although the schedule must avoid clashes with other major junior badminton competitions.
“The first one will be similar to this year, which is a local tournament. For the second one, I want to organise an international tournament,” said Chong Wei.
“We are looking at the timing and also seeking sanction from Badminton Asia.
“We need to find the right date because I don’t want it to clash with other junior tournaments, whether overseas or locally.
“If we can find a suitable time, then we will organise the international tournament.”
LCW Cup To Help Identify Young Talent
Apart from giving young players more competitive opportunities, Lee Chong Wei wants the LCW Cup to help discover potential players for the national badminton set-up.
He said scouts should also consider players who exit the competition before the semi-finals.
“We should not only look at those who reached the final or semi-finals. Even those who lost in the quarter-finals or earlier may have talent,” he said.
“We can scout them and call them up for selection to see their potential and how they fare in training at BAM.”
Pahang youngster Shahadzryl Suhaime was among the players who impressed at the tournament, completing a double in the Under-13 boys’ singles and doubles.
Shahadzryl defeated Penang’s Jorus Lee 12-15, 15-12, 15-12 in the singles final before partnering Gan Giap Han to beat Sarawak’s Ahmad Aniq Rafiq-Lucas Ho 15-12, 15-12 in the doubles final.
The two titles earned Shahadzryl RM6,000 in prize money, while he and Giap Han could also receive an opportunity to attend a trial with the national junior set-up.
“I would be very happy if I get the chance to attend a trial with the national team because that is what I have always wanted,” said Shahadzryl.
“From the start of the tournament, I had already set myself the target of becoming champion.”
The proposed international edition could give Malaysian junior badminton players more opportunities to compete against overseas opponents, subject to scheduling and approval from Badminton Asia.