Kuala Lumpur: Daren Liew who left the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) two weeks ago after he was defeated by Boonsak Ponsana in the 1st round of Malaysia Masters, has signed a five-year contract with Petaling Badminton Club on Thursday to continue his playing career.
The World No. 138 will be making a five-figure salary per year, and will probably play his first tournament at the New Zealand Open after turning pro.
“I am expecting to play at the New Zealand Open in March. I am excited to turn professional, and I will try to take the next six months to get back into World’s top 30. Of course, my main goal is to qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games,” said Liew.
Daren Liew achieved the breakthrough he badly desired after putting up a stunning show by beating Viktor Axelsen to win the French Open in Paris in 2012, and has decided to walk out of the BAM fold early this year citing failure to progress further under the national body for the past two years.
Liew also skippered the 2014 Malaysian Thomas Cup team in New Delhi but lost all his three matches. Malaysia eventually lost to Japan 2-3 in the final.
