PETALING JAYA: Badminton legend Datuk Seri Lee Chong Wei is looking to expand the Lee Chong Wei Cup next year by staging two tournaments, including an international edition featuring overseas players.
The plan comes after the success of the inaugural nine-day tournament, which attracted about 2,200 players from across the country in the Under-13, Under-15 and Under-17 categories.
The tournament featured boys’ and girls’ singles, boys’ and girls’ doubles as well as mixed doubles.
Encouraged by the response, Chong Wei said he hopes to retain the domestic tournament next year while adding another event with an international field.
However, the former world No. 1 said the international tournament would have to fit into the existing calendar as he does not want it to clash with other major junior 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.”
Besides providing more competition for young players, Chong Wei hopes the tournament can also serve as a platform to unearth talent for the national set-up.
He stressed that scouts would not only focus on champions or players who reached the latter 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.”
One youngster who certainly caught the eye was Pahang’s Shahadzryl Suhaime, who completed a double by winning the boys’ singles and doubles Under-13 titles.
Shahadzryl, who began his campaign in the qualifying rounds last Saturday, defied the odds to capture the singles crown after battling past Penang’s Jorus Lee 12-15, 15-12, 15-12.
He later teamed up with Gan Giap Han to beat Sarawak’s Ahmad Aniq Rafiq-Lucas Ho 15-12, 15-12 in the doubles final.
Besides taking home two titles and RM6,000 in prize money, Shahadzryl and Giap Han could also earn a chance 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.”
