KUALA LUMPUR: Two ardent Malaysian supporters are at the Paris Olympics to witness the dream of the country capturing its first ever gold at the prestigious sporting event.
The expensive airfare, pricey competition tickets and steep hotel rates proved no deterrent to Yap Ken Vun and Chao Khai Yuen, who are making their first “appearance” at the Olympic Games.
They forked out RM6,900 each for eight tickets for badminton and athletic events, and set aside RM4,500 each for tickets at the later stages of the Games should our athletes advance, besides the air ticket cost (RM3,200) and accommodation (RM1,800).
“All in I had to raise about RM12,000,” said Yap, 36, who is from Tenom in Sabah.
The duo, who arrived in Paris on Wednesday, said they estimated the total bill to run up to RM20,000 each for their week-long stay.
Chao, 40, from Cheras, said he did not mind spending on what he hoped would be a “fruitful trip”.
“Money can be earned. If you’re tired, you can rest. But going to the stadium and cheering our athletes on is just priceless,” he said.
Yap said he did not want to miss the Olympics this time after the Covid-19 pandemic dashed his dream of witnessing the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.
“I was supposed to go to Japan but due to the pandemic, the Japanese government only allowed athletes, officials and staff members to go.
“I was really sad at the time because it has always been my dream to be at the Olympics to see our athletes in action. I am now living the dream,” he said.
Yesterday, Yap and Chao were at the Adidas Arena at the La Chapelle area where they shouted themselves hoarse backing the Malaysian women’s doubles pair of Pearly Tan and M. Thinaah, who won their match to make it to the semi-final stage.
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“Our girls played so well and we were thrilled to bits seeing them in action,” said Yap.
It was a “double delight” later when men’s pair Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik defeated the higher-ranked Indian pair in the quarter-final to also make it to the semis, with Yap and Chao cheering them on.
The duo are among the most vocal supporters on Malaysian soil, with their kompang-playing antics as well as their Jalur Gemilang-bearing tanjak and bandana costumes.
They have also gone abroad for football and badminton competitions, including the AFC Asian Cup (football) and Malaysian, Australian and Thailand Opens (badminton).
They discussed about going to Paris when they met at the Malaysian Masters badminton tournament last year and spent about a year planning it.
“We cheered our players to bring the best out of them at the Badminton Asia Team Championships in February this year, and this spurred us on,” Chao said.
“Together we combine our strengths to fire up our athletes,” Yap added.
