Top Malaysians to Represent Guangzhou in China League

Malaysian shuttlers Lee Chong Wei and Koo Kien Keat / Tan Boon Heong have been given the nod to play in the 2011 China League which will begin on the 12th of February.

The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) expressed their gratitude for Guangzhou Yueyu Badminton Club for the invitation, while the latter has received a confirmation from BAM that three of the top Malaysian shuttlers will represent Guangzhou in the league. It was said on the Malaysian English-language newspaper, The Star, that this is the first time the BAM have made an exception to allow their players to feature for a foreign side. Previously, only former players were given the chance to do so.

However, the Star quoted BAM’s Ng Chin Chai as saying the body had set the following conditions:

1. They cannot play more than six matches, and should only play on weekends.
2. They will be accompanied by a Malaysian coach or a BAM official.
3. They must prioritise their responsibility in the international tournaments and their participation in the league should not prevent them from playing in the All England (March) and Asian Championships (April).

Ng also mentioned that the Chinese clubs would be covering the Malaysian players’ as well as paying them  well paid for their services.

The Guangzhou Yueyu Badminton Club signed up Taufik Hidayat of Indonesia last month. With the participation of world #1 Lee Chong Wei and Koo/Tan the diamond pair, Guangzhou is now the only club in the league that has foreign assistance. Although so, the person in charge at the Guangzhou Yueyu Club indicated that they have yet to confirm the title sponsor of the league. While the season is a month away from now, they look forward to get the economic problems settled soon so that the coaches and players will be able to play their part in the league without further worries.

Click here to read the Star article.