Badminton legend Datuk Seri Lee Chong Wei is planning to expand the Lee Chong Wei Cup (LCW Cup) next year by staging two tournaments, including an international edition involving overseas players.
The plan follows the successful inaugural 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 tournament featured boys’ and girls’ singles, boys’ and girls’ doubles and mixed doubles.
Lee Chong Wei hopes to retain the domestic edition while adding an international tournament. However, the former world No. 1 said the event must be scheduled carefully to avoid clashes with other 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 Scout Young Badminton Talent
Besides providing more competitive opportunities, Lee Chong Wei wants the LCW Cup to become a platform for identifying promising young Malaysian badminton players.
He stressed that scouts should not only focus on players who reach the later stages of the tournament.
“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. 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 one of the standout performers, winning both the Under-13 boys’ singles and doubles titles.
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 double champion took home RM6,000 in prize money, while Shahadzryl and Giap Han could also earn 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, I had already set myself the target of becoming champion.”
The proposed international edition could further strengthen the Lee Chong Wei Cup as a platform for junior badminton development, while giving Malays