Chong Wei agrees to join podium programme

National badminton icon Datuk Lee Chong Wei has agreed to join the Podium Programme and expected to sign the contract for the programme under the National Sports Institute (ISN), soon.

The former world number one said he would be signing the contract after participating in the All England Badminton championships in England which is scheduled from March 8 to 13.

Chong Wei said he met Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin and the ISN to discuss issues related to his sponsorship before deciding on the contract offered to him.

"I do not want any conflict of interest with my sponsors when I join the podium programme. The Minister and ISN agreed to make some adjustments to the contract so that there won't be any issues with his personal sponsors," he told reporters at the Juara Stadium in Bukit Kiara, here today.

Chong Wei said as a national sports icon, he would always support programmes initiated by the government to improve the performance of athletes because as an athlete he too need such programmes.

Apart from Chong Wei, other shuttlers in the programme are Goh V Shem, Tan Wee Kiong, Chan Peng Soon, Goh Liu Ying, Vivian Hoo and Woon Khe Wei.