LEE Chong Wei will join forces with friend and rival Taufik Hidayat at the SGS PLN Bandung club when he competes in the Indonesian Badminton Super League in Surabaya on Feb 20-26.
However, Chong Wei will only play on the last two days of the league since he will be defending his National Grand Prix title in Kuala Terengganu between tomorrow and Monday.
BA of Malaysia (BAM) general manager Kenny Goh confirmed Chong Wei's entry for the league and said the shuttler has been seeking permission for the last two weeks after being invited by Taufik.
"Chong Wei will be competing in the Indonesian Super League after the National GP Finals. Chong Wei said he wanted to help Taufik and his club to win the league," said Goh.
"He has promised that his training will not be affected as he will only play two matches."
Taufik had mentioned two weeks ago that SGS Bandung had tried to lure Chong Wei and China's Lin Dan but were unable to secure their services.
However, Taufik's good relationship with Chong Wei not only attracted the World No 1 but will now also make SGS Bandung favourites in the men's team championship.
Bandung's other notable players are Tommy Sugiarto and Alamsyah Yunus in the singles while Flandy Limpele-Hendra Gunawan and Singapore's Hendra Wijaya-Chaiyut Triyachart will boost the doubles.
Two other Malaysians -- Hafiz Hashim and Wong Choong Hann -- will play for Musica Champions Kudus coached by former world champion Haryanto Arbi.
Defending champions Jayaraya Suryanaga Surabaya, who won the inaugural league in 2007, are among the title contenders while Djarum Kudus, Tangkas Alfamart Jakarta, Jaya Raya Jakarta and Mutiara Bandung are the other clubs vying for the title.
Chong Wei's involvement in the Indonesia Super League makes him the only top class player who will be competing in two professional leagues abroad. He is also also down to play in the China League for Guangzhou after next month's All England. Doubles player Koo Kien Keat will be the first to see action in the China league as he will represent Guangzhou when the league begins today.
Kien Keat and Tan Boon Heong were supposed to play for Guangzhou but the latter qualified for the National Grand Prix Finals with Hoon Thien How.
The China league is lucrative as players are expected to earn as much as RM50,000 per match with foreign players or pairs expected to play up to four matches throughout the league.
Yangyang Rg | Create your badge
Badminton Training - How To Get Fit To Win ! Click Here!
No comments:
Post a Comment