INDONESIA SUPERLIGA – Welcome Chong Wei

Lee Chong Wei made his arrival in Surabaya on Wednesday to play for his friend Taufik Hidayat’s club of SGS PLN Bandung for the Indonesian Djarum Badminton Super Liga, being held for a week from  February 20 to 26. Their club lead the race for the final victory.

Story and photos: Ira Ratnati, live from Surabaya

(Surabaya) Not many private clubs in the world can brag about having two of the best ever badminton players in their own stable. Guangzhou Badminton can, as they have hired both Taufik Hidayat and Lee Chong Wei for the China League.   But so too can SGS PLN Bandung, a club based in Bandung, as those same two legendary shuttlers have been playing together in the newly held Super Liga for the first time this Wednesday after Chong Wei joined Taufik.

Chong Wei entered the league competition with ease for his first match against Jaya Raya Jakarta, beating Adi Pratama 21-14 and 21-13.

The appearance of Lee had been awaited by the DBL Arena’s fans. Everyone kept asking when the world number one would play, as league play had been going on for 3 days already – Chong Wei had to play in his own National Grand Prix Finals in Malaysia. On Wednesday, finally, the Malaysian wonder could ravish the local fans even if his match was an easy win because of the clear difference in level. Nevertheless, Chong Wei was all smiles to answer questions from the local press.

“I’ve just arrived in Jakarta this morning but the reason why I’ve come to play here is to give motivation to my team, and secondly to create a better atmosphere here, so I hope in the next super league, we will have more top players,” said the Malaysian.

Lee was asked by his long time friend Taufik to join his club. “I’m not running for money here, I really appreciate Taufik asking me to join, and I think the league will be going well, so this is like a warming up for the China league and the All England,” he added.

More than 20 foreign athletes, coming from 8 countries, are participating in the league, which is being held from February 20 to 26 and comprises a women’s competition and a men’s competition.  SGS PLN Bandung beat Jaya Jakarta 5-0 in the men’s competition.

Taufik and Chong Wei’s club of SGS Bandung leads the race of the round robin matches with 5 victories in their 5 matches, followed closely with 4 victories by Surabaya, led by Sony Dwi Kuncoro and Hu Yun of Hong Kong.

Schedule HERE

Scores HERE