Lee Chong Wei and Lin Dan, the two greatest players in the sport, will team up in men’s doubles for the first time in an exhibition match on February 16 in Lingshui, China. The match will mark the opening of a new national training centre in the province, and the pair will face Cai Yun and Fu Haifeng, both former world champions from China.
Lee, the world No. 1 singles shuttler, has always faced Lin Dan across the net. On Monday, he said he was looking forward to the contest and was surprised by China’s chief coach Li Yongbo, who invited him to play alongside Lin Dan.
“I received an invitation from China’s chief coach Li Yongbo to take part in this exhibition match. I was surprised that he wanted me to play with Lin Dan in the doubles. I have not played doubles before, but this is a good idea to promote the game and will be good for the sport,” said the 31-year-old.
The match will also be Lin Dan’s first appearance in front of his fans since he beat Lee in the final of the World Championships in Guangzhou last August.
Line-up change and a fresh challenge
The match was originally planned with Chen Long as Cai Yun’s partner, but Chen Long was unable to take part. Lee said he would still do his best for the sport.
“There are three Chinese players and one Malaysian in this exhibition match and it is an honour. I will do whatever I can to promote the sport wherever possible,” he said.
Lee also joked that the experience might change his plans to retire. “Maybe, the experience of playing in an exhibition match like this will get me excited and I may reconsider any plan I have of retiring from the sport,” he said with a smile.
Training facilities at home
Lee noted that training centres in China were multiplying, while Malaysia still did not have one it could proudly call its own. He added that some training centres in the states were in deplorable condition.
The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) has planned a new state-of-the-art training centre for some time, but the project still remains a grand scheme on paper.
Lin Dan’s comeback and a possible rematch
Lee was asked about Lin Dan’s return to competition after six months away, and the possibility of the two meeting again at the World Championships in Copenhagen in August. His face lit up.
“I heard that he is coming back in March. I think it is good for the sport. I will be ready for him. I will train harder and prepare better to face him. Lin Dan is a great and strong player.”
Lee will compete at the All-England from March 4 to 9 in Birmingham. Lin Dan is likely to return at the Swiss Open Grand Prix Gold from March 11 to 16 and may also play the Malaysian Open Grand Prix Gold in Johor Baru from March 25 to 30. He may also compete in the two Superseries events in India and Singapore to earn quick ranking points before the qualifying period ends in May.
Indonesia Super League success
Lee was pleased that his team, Musica Flypower Champion, defended its title in the Indonesia Super League (ISL) in Surabaya on Sunday. He played twice during the group ties.
He had initially decided not to play in the league so he could spend his first Chinese New Year with his wife, Wong Mew Choo, and their son. However, the club owner, a good friend, persuaded him to take part.
“At first, I had no plans to play in ISL because I wanted to spend my first Chinese New Year with my wife (Wong Mew Choo) and my son. But the owner of the club is a good friend of mine and after much coaxing, I relented. He told me to play for fun but how can I play for fun?
“I resumed training on the second day of Chinese New Year to prepare for the league although I committed to play in two group ties … it was a small sacrifice from my side to just promote the game,” he added.