Datuk Seri Lee Chong Wei has urged young Malaysian shuttlers to prioritise discipline if they hope to lead the country into a new era of badminton excellence. Speaking at the Penang Badminton Association’s 100th anniversary celebration, the three-time Olympic medallist reflected on lessons from his 25-year career.
Lee said Malaysia has no shortage of talent, but many young players still lack consistent effort. He stressed that badminton requires both natural ability and hard work, and discipline must be the foundation of success in sports, career, and life.
He also highlighted Penang’s strong pipeline of talent and hopes that more young players from the state will break into the national team and shine on the international stage.
Addressing the current state of Malaysian badminton, Lee said the national setup is performing well overall, especially in doubles, but the men’s singles department is still searching for its next top talent. He urged the public to give the new national coach more time, noting that developing world-class players takes at least one Olympic cycle.
Lee also acknowledged that the rising popularity of pickleball has drawn some young athletes away from badminton but believes the badminton community will continue supporting the sport’s long-term growth.
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