In a video that has gone viral of Indonesian former champion, Taufik Hidayat, he is heard questioning Lee Chong Wei’s qualifications for his induction into BWF’s Hall of Fame.
In that clip, he is heard saying that Lin Dan is definitely qualified for the induction but was perplexed as to why Lee Chong Wei was also in it.
“In competition, what’s taken into account is who is champion, not who is most (consistent). Also, it’s not about who is longest in the number one spot. Between winning 10 silver and only one gold, which would you choose?”
Lee Chong Wei has since responded and asked Taufik to present that question to BWF. Speaking to BERNAMA, the Malaysian shuttler said that he was unhappy and surprised over Taufik’s statement that seemed to be attacking him.
He clarified: “I didn’t ask the BWF to list me and I did not write a letter to the BWF, I myself did not know about the induction. Maybe there’s a requirement for selection, and there are other Malaysian players who were inducted into the Hall of Fame who have never won an Olympic (gold medal).”
Other than that, Lee Chong Wei also asked the Indonesian shuttler to write to BWF and ask them why Chong Wei was inducted.
“Maybe he isn’t happy because he didn’t get it.”
Our badminton superstar had also urged his fans to not attack the Indonesian shuttler or feed more fire into this whole issue.
Lin Dan and Lee Chong Wei were both inducted into the Badminton World Federation’s Hall of Fame on 26 May. Chong Wei was world number one for 349 weeks, and won three silver Olympic medals, in Beijing 2008, London 2012 and Rio 2016, but never won the gold, reported BERNAMA.
Also read: Datuk LCW & Lin Dan Inducted into the Badminton World Federation Hall of Fame!
