Dearth of victors giving Victor no peace of mind

KUALA LUMPUR: The lack of results from national shuttlers in major tournaments this year is making Victor (Malaysia) managing director Datuk Alex Ong restless.

Except for world No. 7 Lee Chong Wei, all the other national shuttlers with the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) are under the sponsorship of Victor.

The 34-year-old Chong Wei is sponsored by Yonex.

Victor has a RM10mil-a-year deal with the national association from 2015-2021, which amounts to a total of RM60mil. Victor sponsors the players’ apparel and equipment.

Said Alex: “We have high expectations but the shuttlers have not delivered this year.

“As host of the SEA Games, I expected the Malaysian badminton team to win more than one gold medal. Thailand and Indonesia didn’t have their full team but they still did well to win four and two titles each.

“We didn’t even have one shuttler in the quarter-finals of the World Championships (in Glasgow, Scotland) and none of the players under the Victor flagship have won a single Superseries title this year. I’m disappointed.”

Only Chong Wei has pocketed one Superseries title – the All-England in Birmingham in March.

Mixed doubles shuttlers Chan Peng SoonGoh Liu Ying also did well to reach the AllEngland final.

The only other title won by Malaysia so far is the second-tier New Zealand Open – through women’s doubles pair Woon Khe Wei-Vivian Hoo.

“There are four more months left before the year ends. As one of the main sponsors for the team, I hope to see better results,” said Alex.