KUALA LUMPUR: Former world number one Lee Chong Wei is prepared to face public criticism as he navigates the challenges of driving change in Malaysian badminton, insisting that difficult decisions must be made in the best interests of the sport.
More than a year into his role as BA of Malaysia (BAM) performance committee chairman on October 18, 2025, the three-time Olympic silver medallist admitted that it was a challenging responsibility in a highly demanding sport.
Despite the challenges, Chong Wei said he was not afraid of public backlash, stressing that criticism was inevitable whenever difficult changes were introduced.
“When you want to do something right or something good, there will always be people who disagree. There will be public reaction. I accept all the public noise,” said Chong Wei during the “Ngopi Dengan Zafrul” podcast hosted by BAM president Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz on YouTube recently.
Chong Wei, who held the world No. 1 position for a record 349 weeks, said the differences between today’s players and those of his era meant he had to constantly learn, adapt and understand the evolving demands of modern badminton.
“It’s not easy because the current generation of badminton players is different. I have a lot to learn from this new generation,” added Chong.
The 44-year-old also revealed that he regularly seeks advice from Tengku Zafrul before making important decisions.
“I am always in touch with Tengku for advice because, as committee chairman, making decisions is sometimes not easy,” Chong Wei said.
Chong Wei added that his decision to remain involved with BAM after retiring from professional badminton in 2019 was driven by a desire to give back to the organisation that had supported him throughout nearly two decades with the national team.
Beyond administrative responsibilities, the badminton legend also highlighted discipline and sacrifice as essential ingredients for players aspiring to reach the highest level.
He said an athlete’s professional career was relatively short, making it crucial for players to maximise their opportunities while they were still competing.
This includes making sacrifices to improve their overall performance, particularly in maintaining fitness and developing physical strength.
Chong Wei also urged younger players not to take their opportunities for granted and to pay close attention to advice from those with greater experience in the sport.
On the broader development of Malaysian sports, he called for greater participation from the private sector, noting that government funding alone might not be sufficient to meet the growing financial needs of different sporting disciplines.
Pointing to countries such as Japan, China and South Korea, he said private companies played an important role in supporting sports development, particularly through sponsorships for athletes and teams.
He believes stronger corporate involvement could provide Malaysian sports with additional resources and create more opportunities for athletes to develop and compete at the highest level.