Kuala Lumpur: If the COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia could be brought under control and the current Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) could be lifted, former World No. 1 Lee Chong Wei, and his wife, Wong Mew Choo are planning to participate in the MIX & MATCH Badminton Challenge, scheduled to take place in Malaysia on December 28th.
In addition to the Malaysian badminton legend and his wife, the Rio Olympics men’s doubles silver medallists Goh V Shem and Tan Wee Kiong have also confirmed their availability for the event.
Speaking to Malaysian media, Lee was hoping the CMCO imposed on the Kuala Lumpur area would not be extended until December 28th.
“The event organizers are working on the event but it all depends whether the CMCO would end by then,” said Lee.
“If everything goes as planned, Mew Choo, Wee Kiong, V Shem, and I would be participating in the event,” added Lee.
The last public event Lee played was the “Grand Match” exhibition match that took place at the Arena of Stars in Genting on December 28, 2019, where he played a total of three matches – mixed doubles match with Goh Liu Ying, men’s doubles match with Chan Peng Soon, and a three on three match as he teamed up with Chan Peng Soon and Goh Liu Ying.
“Grand Match” successfully raised a total of RM77,930 funds for the Lee Chong Wei Foundation.
The first MIX & MATCH Badminton Challenge had already taken place in Japan on November 29th, where World No. 1 men’s singles player Kento Momota’s Kansha team beat Akane Yamaguchi’s Sixth Sense team 3-2.
South Korea will host the next event on December 5, 2020, at 6 PM Korea Standard Time. Former World No. 1 men’s doubles players, Lee Yong-dae and partner Yoo Yeon-seong will be the team captains for their respective team.
There will be five more MIX & MATCH Badminton Challenge events after Korea, including Indonesia (Dec 11), China (Dec 12), India (Dec 19), Taiwan (Dec 26), and Denmark (to be determined).
