KLRC promises a gold bar for Malaysian medallists of 2012 London Olympics – Badminton News
The owner of Kuala Lumpur Racquet Club (KLRC) Datuk Seri Andrew Kam has promised a 12.5 kg gold bar to those Malaysian shuttlers who will fetch a gold medal in the 2012 London Olympics.
This mega event will be in full swing from July 27, 2012 and Malaysia has its stakes in the Men’s Singles, Men’s Doubles and Mixed Doubles categories.
Andrew Kam, who is also a renowned gold producer of the country, believes that his mouth-watering offer will motivate national campaigners to make every effort in London Games.
He also declared that only a gold medallist can claim this RM 2-million bar and if more than one shuttler wins Olympic medals then this valued prize will be shared between them.
He said, "This is my challenge to our players. I hope it will motivate them to try even harder. I will only reward the gold medallist."
Malaysia is hoping Men’s Singles maestro Lee Chong Wei will escort the country to glory but Andrew Kam did not play down the chances of other national campaigners.
Though, he admitted that World Number two Chong Wei is nation’s biggest hope but he also mentioned Doubles experts Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong and Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying as strong contenders.
He said, "Chong Wei has a good chance of winning the singles title but we must not write off Kien Keat-Boon Heong and Peng Soon-Liu Ying, who are also capable of going far."
Earlier, National Sports Scheme and a Malaysian furniture company also announced RM 1-million each for the gold medalists. This means an Olympic title holder will pocket approximately RM 4-million for his effort.
Meanwhile, the badminton king Chong Wei looked jubilant over this offer as he appreciated this move and vowed to put extra effort in coming edition of the mega event.
He said, "My wish is to own a gold bar and KLRC's offer will further encourage me to try my best in London. However, the focus is on one of us to win Malaysia's first ever Olympic title."
However, the Malaysian ace did not give false hopes and admitted that still he is not in perfect shape and this will create hurdles in his race for glory.
For the record, national squad is leaving for Bath training camp tomorrow and Chong Wei will have two weeks to regain his fitness before the London Games.
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