Kah showing Datuk Seri Lee Chong Wei’s two Olympic silver medals, which will be showcased at the gala dinner at Setia SPICE Convention Centre this Saturday. — Photos: ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star
PLANNING for the Penang Badminton Association’s (PBA) centennial celebration began in April last year.
PBA president Datuk Kah Kau Kiak said the preparations had been a massive team effort in ensuring every detail was perfect.
Their preparations have paid off – tickets for the gala dinner were snapped up within four days of release, while all 200 Lee Chong Wei Limited Signature Edition racquets quickly sold out in just three days.
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“We are grateful for the overwhelming response. We are making sure that every detail, from logistics to hospitality, is handled with care to honour this historic occasion,” said Kah, who is also the celebration’s organising committee chairman.
Themed “Milestones & Memories”, the black-and-gold gala at the Setia SPICE Convention Centre in Bayan Lepas this Saturday will celebrate a century of Penang badminton.
Chong Wei’s 13 medals and memorabilia include three Olympic silver medals and four All England winning medals. They will be on display at the Medals & Trophies Exhibition during the gala dinner.
Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh, Badminton World Federation president Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul and Olympic Council of Malaysia president Tan Sri Norza Zakaria are among the VIPs in attendance.
Former and current national shuttlers including Datuk Seri Lee Chong Wei, Chan Peng Soon, Aaron Chia and former world champion Kento Momota will also be present.
More than 2,000 guests are expected, including representatives from the Chinese Taipei and Singapore Badminton associations, sponsors and prominent members of the badminton community.
According to Kah, PBA is the oldest badminton association in the country.
“Founded in 1925, it predates both the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) in 1935 and even the Badminton World Federation (BWF) in 1934,” he said.
A key highlight at the gala dinner will be a video montage chronicling PBA’s journey and a tribute video to Chong Wei.
Penang Badminton Association Centennial Celebration Working Committee chairman Datuk Kah Kau Kiak (fourth from right) poses for a group photograph with committee members (from left) Kah Chen Eng, Hew Kim Wee, Loh Eng Swee, Chuah Han Khim, secretary Gary Poh, member Lee Yuen Kit and event director Robert Chuah, alongside the trophies, memorabilia, and medals that will be displayed at the gala dinner. — ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star
The celebration is a tribute to 100 years of badminton excellence in Penang, honouring the pioneers, past presidents, players, coaches and volunteers who laid the foundation for Penang’s badminton success, Kah said.
“Having so many greats from different generations under one roof is something very rare and meaningful,” said Kah, who will be serving his final tenure as PBA president for the 2025–2029 term.
At the event foyer during the gala dinner, guests will get to explore the Hall of Fame, Photo Wall, and Medals & Trophies Exhibition – all designed to showcase PBA’s proud heritage and milestones.
To preserve the association’s legacy, Kah said PBA would publish a Centennial Magazine next year featuring archival photos, stories and tributes from badminton greats. There are also plans for a coffeetable book.
“We also hope to establish a permanent badminton heritage gallery at our clubhouse in Bukit Dumbar, to preserve the sport’s legacy and celebrate the association’s century-long achievements,” he added.
Some players posing in front of the Penang Badminton Association 100th anniversary backdrop at the PBA Badminton Centre in Bukit Dumbar.
Badminton fans can also look forward to the PBA Century Cup, which will be held at Bukit Dumbar this Friday and Sunday as part of the centenary celebrations.
It is a corporate badminton competition organised in collaboration with the Malaysia Purple League (MPL).
The event will feature five ties, with the order of play being men’s doubles (50+), mixed doubles (combined age 100, minimum age 30), men’s doubles (combined age 100, minimum age 40), men’s doubles (Open), triples (combined age 100, minimum age 30).
Kah said PBA spent about RM200,000 on giving the tournament venue a facelift.
“The works completed included installing better lighting around the courts, resurfacing the road, replacing the main signboard at the entrance and putting up a new 100th Anniversary main board to welcome players and visitors,” he said. — By TAN SIN CHOW and BERNARD SEE
