Despite defeat, Chong Wei demonstrates remarkable game - PM

Although he lost in the final of the men's singles badminton at the 2016 Olympics in Rio, Datuk Lee Chong Wei demonstrated a most remarkable game, said Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

"I believe Malaysians can feel the same pride as I feel," said the Prime Minister who watched the match on a giant screen at Dataran Putrajaya, here, last night.

The Prime Minister's wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, also watched the match between Chong Wei and China's Chen Long in which the national badminton champion was beaten 18-21, 18-21.

Najib said despite the defeat, Chong Wei had brought honour to the country. Meanwhile, Rosmah, who is patron of the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) said Chong Wei had done his best but the defeat must be accepted.

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"Never mind. Sometimes in life we don't get everything we want. But I feel Chong Wei has given his best shot. I'll contact him later to congratulate him," she said.

In addition to the thousands of viewers who thronged Dataran Putrajaya since 7pm tonight, also present to watch the match were Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Datuk M. Saravanan, Armed Forces chief General Tan Sri Zulkifeli Mohd Zin and Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin's wife Nori Abdullah.

Equally supportive was cyclist Azizulhasni Awang, who won a bronze in the men's Keirin final at the Olympic Games.