Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia’s World No. 1 badminton superstar Lee Chong Wei hoped the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) would renew the contract of men’s singles coach Hendrawan that is set to expire by end of this year.
Lee told reporters at a incentives presentation ceremony organized by a Malaysian mobile network operator on Friday that Hendrawan has guided him to regain the World No. 1 spot of Badminton World Federation (BWF) rankings in just 14 months after his eight-month suspension.
The World No. 1 also emphasized that Hendrawan would be a valuable asset in nurturing young players such as Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin.
“Hendrawan has already been in BAM for 7 years, BAM knows what he can bring to the table. I hope Hendrawan and Tey Seu Bock can remain in the national team and help us form a strong singles team for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.”
The Penangite also denied rumors that he has a net worth of about RM300 million (USD 75 million) as reported by a web site.
“I don’t think a Malaysian sportsman can make RM300 million. Even RM10 million is also very hard because badminton is not the same as golf, tennis or football.”
“It’s normal for people to spread rumors on Facebook and Twitter, and I can’t stop people from writing about me.”
At the ceremony, Lee was rewarded total of RM110,000 – RM60,000 for a silver medal and an additional RM50,000 for being the telco’s brand ambassador.
Other silver medal winners – badminton mixed doubles pair Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying, doubles pair Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong, and women’s 10 meter synchronized diving pair Pandalela Rinong-Cheong Jun Hoong – all received RM30,000 per person. Meanwhile, Mohd Azizulhasni Awang, who won the bronze medal in the Keirin cycling event, received RM25,000.
