Timely boost: Goh Jin Wei (right) posing with Li Ning Malaysia brands manager Teah Yann Ling after sealing a two-year sponsorship deal yesterday.
PETALING JAYA: Former world junior champion Goh Jin Wei’s bid to revive her badminton career as an independent shuttler continues to gain momentum.
The 22-year-old has signed a two-year sponsorship deal with Sunlight Sports Group (Li-Ning’s sole distributor in South East Asia) yesterday.
It was the second pleasant news within a month for Jin Wei after she was given the green light to turn professional by the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM), although she was initially banned for two years along with men’s singles ace Lee Zii Jia.
The decision by the national body triggered a public uproar as many felt the duo were harshly treated.
Both Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu and deputy Datuk Seri Ti Lian Ker stepped in to intervene on the matter, prompting the BAM to lift the ban in just a matter of days.
The BAM had previously given Jin Wei their blessings to leave the national team on the assumption that she had announced her retirement – a decision that she eventually regretted months later.
Jin Wei left after taking two years to recover from a stomach ailment.
She was grateful for Sunlight Group’s backing and vowed to justify their faith in her.
“Thank you Li-Ning for giving me the opportunity to continue to strive for more glory for the country as a professional player,” said Jin Wei, who’s also a KLRC player.
Jin Wei is keeping her fingers crossed that she will make the cut for at least one of the two upcoming World Tour tournaments in Europe.
She has signed up for the Swiss Open from March 22-27 and Orleans Masters in France from March 29-April 4.
“For the Swiss Open, I’m currently seventh in the reserve list, so I guess it’s going to be very hard for me to get in,” said Jin Wei.
“But I’m hopeful of making the Orleans Masters. We’ll see. I can’t wait to get cracking as a pro.”
Following the announcement yesterday, Jin Wei will be part of the illustrious Li-Ning Malaysia team alongside 2016 Olympics mixed doubles silver medallist Goh Liu Ying, 2006 Asian Games men’s doubles champion Tan Boon Heong, last year’s World Championships bronze medallists Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi and former SEA Games women’s doubles winner Woon Khe Wei.
