Guangzhou: Two high-profile men’s doubles players from Korea, Lee Yong-Dae and Ko Sung-Hyun who originally planned to join Guangzhou Yueyu Badminton Club for the 2015/2016 China Badminton Super League season, have ended their season in China to reduce the likelihood of conflict for their preparation of the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Both Lee Yong-Dae and Ko Sung-Hyun attended the sixth rounds of China Badminton Super League on Thursday, but Lee Yong-Dae just showed up to take a group picture with all his teammates at the start of the tie, and flew back to South Korea after that.
Gao Jun, the head coach of Guangzhou Yueyu Badminton Club told reporters that both Lee Yong-Dae and Ko Sung-Hyun’s season in the China Badminton Super League is effectively done. Mainly due to Lee Yong-Dae still participating in the Malaysia Purple League and as a precaution prior to the Rio Olympics, the South Korean coaching staff team has decided not to let him play in the Chinese league.
“We are not going to hold them accountable for not meeting their responsibilities, and Lee Yong-dae is looking forward to make up for this by playing for our club next season,” said Gao Jun.
After six round of contest, the Guangzhou Yueyu Badminton Club has 3 wins and 3 losses, and is currently ranked No. 4 in the league. Only the top four teams in the league will move on to the championship tournament.
This was not the first time Lee Yong-Dae has involved in similar incident. He signed with Muar City of Malaysia Purple League during the 2014/2015 season, but had to sit out the whole season due to unknown reasons. However, he then appeared in the Indonesia Superliga playing for Musica Champions early 2015, and was eventually able to lead Musica Champions to clinch the Indonesia Superliga championships.
