Kuala Lumpur: Malaysian badminton legend Lee Chong Wei has officially unveiled plans for the inaugural Lee Chong Wei Cup, a youth-focused tournament offering a total prize purse of RM100,000.
The former world No. 1 described the event as a long-held ambition designed to strengthen grassroots badminton development and create a new pathway for emerging talent.
Supporting Malaysia’s Future Badminton Stars
Although the tournament date has yet to be finalized, Lee explained that discussions with the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) are ongoing to ensure the event does not clash with existing competition schedules.
“I hope this tournament can be held annually and continue improving in quality. This is a starting point to help identify more young talents for BAM,” Lee said during the official media announcement.
Now serving as Chairman of BAM’s Performance Committee, Lee emphasized that the initiative is meant to complement the national federation’s current development structure.
Filling the Development Gap
While BAM already runs structured programs for players in the Under-12, Under-14, and Under-16 categories, the Lee Chong Wei Cup will focus on additional age groups, including Under-13, Under-15, and Under-17 divisions.
Lee believes broader competition exposure is crucial in modern badminton development, noting that opportunities during his youth were far more limited compared to today’s environment.
“I want to give young players more chances to prove themselves. Instead of spending time playing video games at home, it’s better they participate in sports,” he added.
Youth Focus Over Senior Spotlight
Addressing comparisons with former rival Lin Dan, who also organizes his own tournament, Lee clarified that his focus is firmly on youth development rather than attracting established senior stars.
“For senior players, we already have top-tier tournaments almost every week. There’s no need for another senior event. Right now, the priority is developing the next generation of badminton players,” he said.
The Lee Chong Wei Cup is expected to serve as a fresh platform for young Malaysian badminton talents to gain competitive experience and potentially progress into national pathways.
Stay tuned for more badminton news and updates on grassroots tournaments shaping the future of Malaysian badminton.
