Steven Sim welcomed the return of the Senheng Purple League by pledging full support for Malaysia's leading badminton league on behalf of the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
The professional badminton league, which could name Lee Chong Wei, Chou Tien Chen, Tommy Sugiarto and other international stars among its past participants, is set to return for its fifth season on December 20, promising to be bigger than ever.
During a launch event to unveil Senheng as the title sponsor on Wednesday, the deputy minister praised the Purple League, which also has a junior league for up-and-coming players, for playing an important role in the local badminton scene.
"Over the last few years, the Senheng Purple League has provided a vital platform for the country's young badminton players to gain experience and hone their skills by playing in one of the world's top badminton leagues," Sim said.
"It has also helped Malaysian badminton grow in terms of attracting a larger fan base.
"Our focus must now be on Malaysia winning the nation's first Olympic gold medal, hopefully in Tokyo 2020 and continue to do so in Paris 2024.
"I feel that badminton is capable of delivering our first Olympic gold and the exposure given by the Senheng Purple League can contribute to this target with the development of badminton in the country, not to mention that I am confident all the young players coming through the ranks are capable of doing well in the future.
"On behalf of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, I pledge full support for the Senheng Purple League and also take this opportunity to congratulate Dato’ Jack Koh and his team for their tireless efforts in helping badminton grow in Malaysia."
At the same event, Purple League CEO Jack Koh announced the formation of a new league for corporate partners.
"We at the Purple League would like to thank title sponsor Senheng, Astro, Li-Ning, 100 Plus and Resorts World Genting for backing our initiative to ensure that the development of badminton in our country will not slow down.
"I am sure this partnerhip will continue to flourish for the benefit of all parties concerned in our quest to make badminton in Malaysia great again.
"To show our appreciation to our corporate partners who have unselfishly supported the Senheng Purple League, we will be organising the Purple League Corporate to provide a vital platform for corporate companies that would like to get attached or associated with the sport of badminton," he said.
Seng Foo Lee
Wed Sep 26 2018
Juventus hit back from two goals down to salvage a draw at Cagliari
Juventus continued their inconsistent form and have now won only two of their last 12 Serie A fixtures.
Raith Rovers keep unlikely title bid alive with narrow victory at Inverness
.
Oxford frustrated in play-off push as Stevenage force draw
.
Former Wales winger Leighton James dies, aged 71
He had three spells at Burnley, helped hometown club Swansea in to the top tier of English football and won 54 caps for his country.
Emma Hayes: Chelsea not overthinking semi-final against ‘world-class’ Barcelona
The Blues lost to their Catalan opponents in their only final appearance in 2021.
England stars out cheaply as Dukes ball returns to County Championship
Warwickshire captain Alex Davies was the only player to score a century on Friday as the third round of matches began.
Emma Raducanu’s run at Stuttgart Open ended by world number one Iga Swiatek
The 21-year-old Briton had been boosted by winning four successive matches for the first time since her US Open title in 2021.
Man Utd appoint Jason Wilcox as new technical director after leaving Southampton
The 53-year-old former Premier League winner previously worked as Manchester City’s academy director.
Maya Le Tissier signs new deal with Manchester United
The England defender has signed a contract extension.
'Lot of value' in Warriors keeping Curry, Green and Thompson together, says Kerr
Klay Thompson is set to enter free agency, raising the prospect of the Golden State Warriors' iconic trio being broken up this offseason.