Netizens ask: Lacklustre future for Malaysia's badminton without Chong Wei?
Netizens question the future of the country's badminton should Lee Chong Wei retire in the future. -Astro AWANI/T.K. Letchumy
Fans of national shutller, Datuk Lee Chong Wei have a reason to rejoice when he received an eight-month, backdated for a doping violation.
The decision that Chong Wei will be able to compete in the Sudirman Cup in Dongguan, China from May 10 to 17 is lauded by Malaysian fans who waited with bated breath after the three-panel doping conviction trial in Amsterdam on April 11.
The social media was flooded with a flurry of questions, but one pertinent question was on the future of badminton in Malaysia without the presence of Chong Wei.
Yes, what's next for the Malaysia's badminton industry?" asked Netizens especially after the national squad failed to perform following Chong Wei’s suspension since last year.
For the uninitated, Chong Wei who reigned as the World's number one, saw his ranking plunged to current 30.
Here's what Netizens said:
“When LCW was suspended, what are BAM efforts to find his replacement, or is the plan to let him play until the end,” asks a Twitter user known as Norman.
In terms of strength and stamina, an athletes’ prime age is ideally, 30-years-old.
A social media user @fazirulsafwan asked who will replace Chong Wei when the two-time Olympics silver medalist decide to retire?
This view was also echoed by Shazzaqie who wishes for BAM to realise that without Chong Wei, the (national squad) ranking will continue to decline.
@amr_hmzhrfk said Chong Wei to train a protege similar to what is being done by his arch rival, Chinese shuttler and Olympics gold medalist. Lin Dan.
Chong Wei has been suspended for eight months beginning August 30, 2014 for doping violation when he tested positive for the banned anti-inflammatory dexamethasone.
Following this decision, Youth and Sports Minister, Khairy Jamaluddin in a press conference today said Chong Wei will be able to compete again beginning May 1.
After Dongguan, Chong Wei will be competing at the SEA Games in Singapore scheduled in June and Jakarta's World Championship in August.
Khairy was among the first to tweet, welcoming Chong Wei back to the court.
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