While this fact might be subject to extensive debate, Malaysians live and breathe badminton. Sure, the sport wasn’t always the maddening rave it is now in the region. However, badminton has evolved with the people of this Southeast Asian country. So much so that it’s become part and parcel of who they are. On the international stage, badminton is their national identity. This much concentration and devotion to a single sport mean that, quite naturally, a fair bit would be happening in the background. Here, we’ll be delving into the world of Malaysian badminton for behind-the-scenes takes and insider information.
Behind-The-Scenes And Insider Information Available Right Now
For emphasis, badminton is mostly a controversy-free sport. It is more so in a region like Malaysia, where it has the highest reverence and regard. But while the behind-the-scenes actions this sport sees on Malaysian soil mightn’t rival what you’d likely find with most other sports, a few events you hear occasionally turn heads the wrong way. Look at more famous stories that have cropped up over the years.
The Match-Fixing Fiasco Of Zulfadli Zulkiffli And Tan Chun Seang
The Malaysian badminton world seemed to stand still in 2018 when rising badminton stars Zulfadli Zulkiffli and Tan Chun Seang were fixing games. In addition to match-fixing, the Badminton World Federation also accused them (and found them guilty) of wagering and betting. The punishment was a 20-year ban from the sport, a $25 000 fine for Zulkiffli, and a 15-year ban with a $15 000 penalty for Chun Seang.
The Unpleasant Incident Of Kisona Selvaduray
Malaysians’ love for their badminton players is always on display for the world to see. But sometimes, that affection can turn sour and quite ugly. It was in 2021 when Kisona Selvaduray lost to Akane Yamaguchi. Some fans were so hurt by how things turned out that they hurled rather hateful racial slurs that proved quite damaging to the athlete.
The Doping Saga Of Lee Chong Wei
While he was still active, there was no better role model in the country than Lee Chong Wei. Perfect both on and off the court, he was the epitome that budding badminton players aspired to be. It is why it came as a rude shock that he didn’t pass a doping test in 2014. While it wasn’t a taking performance-enhancement medication, he still suffered an eight-month ban for that incident.
Conclusion
And that’s all we have for now, and thankfully so. We wouldn’t want such incidents to become more common in this beloved sport. See this to keep up with the latest trends in the world of Malaysian badminton today.
