All-inclusive hall of fame: (from left): India’s Saina Nehwal, Indonesia’s Taufik Hidayat, Denmark’s Peter Gade, China’s Lin Dan, Malaysia’s Datuk Lee Chong Wei, South Korea’s Lee Yong-dae and Spain’s Carolina Marin.
KUALA LUMPUR: The Legends’ Vision is no longer just a boys’ club with the addition of world-renowned women’s badminton singles players Saina Nehwal and Carolina Marin.
The former world No. 1s join Datuk Lee Chong Wei, Lin Dan of China, Taufik Hidayat of Indonesia, Peter Gade of Denmark and Lee Yong-dae of South Korea as the magnificent seven get ready this year to elevate badminton globally.
Saina hopes her addition into the Legends’ family will be a catalyst for badminton to grow in India.
“When I started playing badminton in India, there weren’t champions for me to look up to,” said India’s first Olympic medallist in badminton.
“It’s a dream for every player to have an opportunity like this and now to be part of the Legends’ Vision family is an excellent platform for us to further promote the game.”
The three-time Commonwealth Games champion added that despite not having a figure to look up to during the early stages of her career, the support she received from coaches and family was immeasurable.
“We had to put in much hard work and make many sacrifices to be where we are today. In sports, we have to physically kill ourselves to get better, especially for women,” she said.
“In India, I see so many young girls that want to be the next big badminton player.
‘‘It is challenging to be a woman in this sport, but it’s not that tough ... becoming a champion is tough.”
This year, the Legends’ Vision’s 2024 Legacy Tour Event will feature stops in India and Spain, the home countries of Saina and Marin, who was absent at the event due to having contracted Influenza.
Great to have you: Chong Wei (centre) and Lin Dan welcoming Saina (left) aboard the legends’ club. — CHAN TAK KONG / The Star
World No. 5 Marin has chosen to skip the Malaysian Open starting today at the Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil.
While happy to see the women joining in the Legends’ league, Chong Wei is also keeping his eyes close to home, hoping to see a champion come through this edition. Chong Wei was the last to win at home in 2018 after taking down Japan’s Kento Momota.
Momota, who is here with his team, will not be playing in this edition as he remains on the reserve list.
Four-time All England champion Chong Wei believes professional Lee Zii Jia (men’s singles) and Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik (men’s doubles) have what it takes to bring home victory to the Malaysian fans at the Super 1000 event.
“Every local player stands a chance but based on their performances, I believe Aaron-Wooi Yik and Zii Jia have a higher chance,” said the 12-time Malaysian Open winner.
“Let’s do it for the fans. There was once a fan who travelled by bus all the way from Kuantan to watch the Malaysian Open here. This really touched me because the fans are who we fight hard for.
“Never give up, even if the results don’t go our way, the most important thing is to prove to the fans that you have left it all on the court,” said the three-time Olympic silver medallist.
Today, world No. 11 Zii Jia will take on China’s Lu Guangzu in the opening round while Aaron-Wooi Yik face Danish duo Rasmus Kjaer-Frederick Sogaard tomorrow.
