Datuk Lee Chong Wei believes that he will still be regarded as the national number one badminton player in two years if he continues to compete on the international stage.
The 33 year-old, who has just signed on as ambassador for the Purple League, said that it would be his responsibility to lead the Thomas Cup squad in 2018 as the first singles player. This comes after Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said that Lee Chong Wei could still feature as the nation’s third singles player in the next Thomas Cup tournament.
“I will still be the best player in Malaysia in two years. I will need to consider my fitness level, health and my performance level,” Lee Chong Wei said as quoted by Berita Harian.
“I will continue to work hard in training and will stay on as the singles player for the country if I stay away from injuries. However, if I say no, the youngsters should be given a chance.
Lee Chong Wei announced prior to the 2016 Thomas Cup that he might retire after the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. YB Khairy then begged the world No. 2 to reconsider his decision because his services will be needed in the upcoming Thomas Cup tournament.
Malaysia suffered an elimination at the hands of Denmark in the semi-final last Sunday.
Other posts by Prashant Kharbanda
