Badminton Legend Gives Back with Landmark Youth Tournament

Kuala Lumpur – A new era for Malaysian badminton is dawning with the launch of the Lee Chong Wei Cup, a tournament designed to unearth and nurture the nation’s next generation of shuttlecock stars. The inaugural event, backed by Chinese automaker Chery Malaysia and the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM), boasts a substantial RM100,000 prize pool – the largest ever offered for a Malaysian youth badminton tournament.

Tournament Details and Age Categories

The Lee Chong Wei Cup will focus on players aged 13, 15, and 17, encompassing all five standard disciplines: Boys’ Singles, Girls’ Singles, Boys’ Doubles, Girls’ Doubles, and Mixed Doubles (for the Under-17 category). The competition aims to attract 3,200 participants and will be a single-leg event.

Winners will not only receive a significant financial reward but will also earn the coveted opportunity to trial for a place at the prestigious Akademi Badminton Malaysia (ABM).

Chery Malaysia’s Commitment to Grassroots Development

Chery Corporate Malaysia has stepped forward as the official sponsor, demonstrating a commitment to community impact and youth development. “At Chery, we believe in investing in the future of sports. Our intention has always been to nurture young talent and support the ecosystem around them,” said Chery Malaysia Vice President, Lee Wen Hsiang. As one of Malaysia’s fastest-growing international automotive brands, we are proud to support initiatives that shape the nation’s sporting future.”

This partnership builds on Chery Malaysia’s previous support of Malaysian athletes, including prize cars awarded to Olympic medallists at the 2024 Paris games and the national contingent at the Asian Youth Para Games.

BAM’s Endorsement and Lee Chong Wei’s Vision

BAM President Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz welcomed the initiative as a valuable addition to the grassroots ecosystem, noting that the tournament serves to widen access and strengthen the national talent pipeline, ensuring that the legacy of a man who held the world number one ranking for 349 weeks continues through the next generation of players.

Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM)

Datuk Seri Lee Chong Wei expressed his long-held dream of establishing a tournament in his name. I also want to identify more talents for BAM, especially now that I have a huge responsibility as BAM’s performance chairman.” He emphasized the importance of providing opportunities for young players, stating, It is better for them than just sitting at home playing games.”

FAQ

• What is the total prize pool for the Lee Chong Wei Cup? RM100,000.
• What age groups are eligible to compete? Under-13, Under-15, and Under-17.
• What is the prize for winning the tournament? A cash prize and a trial opportunity at the Akademi Badminton Malaysia (ABM).
• Who is the main sponsor of the Lee Chong Wei Cup? Chery Malaysia.