Tien-chen leads foreign stars in Purple League

PETALING JAYA: World No. 7 Chou Tien-chen of Taiwan will be one of the foreign stars to feature in the 2017-2018 SS Purple League.

The 27-year-old Taiwan Open men’s singles champion will play for Puchong United Badminton Club when the eight-team league begins today at the Sports Arena Sentosa, Jalan Kelang Lama.

With Japanese women’s singles shuttler Aya Ohori and South Korean doubles players Yoo Yeon Seong and Lee Hyo Jung also in their line-up, Puchong United BC are one of the title favourites.

They have also included several Malaysian internationals like men’s doubles shuttlers Teo Ee Yi, Ong Yew Sin and mixed doubles players Tan Kian Meng, Lai Pei Jing and Shevon Jemie Lai.

The other seven competing teams are defending champions Petaling Jaya BC, Ampang Jaya BC, Bangsar Hawks BC, Kepong BC, Petaling BC, Serdang BC and Cheras BC.

A new three-phase format will be used this year.

The eight teams will play each other in the first phase. The top six teams will then proceed to the second phase where they will be divided into two groups.

The total points from the first and second phases will determine the final standings and seedings of the six teams for the Grand Finals (phase three) at the Arena of Stars, Genting Highlands, from Feb 8-11.

Today, Petaling Jaya BC will take on Serdang BC while Petaling BC will square off with Kepong BC.