Test for high-scorer Low
Eu Cong turns his back on studies and takes flight in badminton
Unheralded Low Eu Cong regards himself as a decent student, having scored 7As for UPSR, 7As for PT3 and 2As and 7Bs for SPM. But he finds studying boring and has always preferred badminton instead.
The 20-year-old from Penang seems to have made the right move, at least for now, after getting himself into the national team through a selection trial earlier this year.
Being a newcomer, Eu Cong knows his place in the men’s singles squad headed by Hendrawan is not certain, as he needs to get past his probation period, due in December.
Eu Cong’s name may not ring a bell in the local badminton scene, but the former state player is out to make it into the big time now that he has a great chance to do so with the national team.
“This could be my once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so I really got to treasure it,” said Eu Cong, who has been representing his state at National School Sports Council (MSSM) and Malaysian Games (Sukma) level.
“I have been waiting for years for a chance to join the national team. I had one opportunity when I was 15 but had to pass on it because I was nursing an eye injury.
“I guess it’s better late than never. Now, it’s all up to me to make a difference. My life-long ambition was always to be a world top-10 player, representing the country in all the world’s top-flight competitions.
“But of course that’s thinking too far ahead. I need to establish myself in the national team first. This will be my immediate goal.”
Eu Cong said it took him a while to give his badminton career a shot.
After completing his STPM at Chung Ling Butterworth in 2017, he spent a year training with OSK Badminton Club in Penang before moving to Kuala Lumpur to play for Bukit Cheras BC.
“My parents always wanted me to continue with my studies to tertiary level, because my results weren’t too bad but I find studies boring,” said Eu Cong.
“I even continued to Form Six to give myself more time to think about it. In the end, I decided to try out a professional badminton career.
“I came to KL last year to join Bukit Cheras BC and trained under coach Tan Cheng Kuang, who’s the father of national junior shuttlers Zhing Yi and Zhing Hui.
“Under his tutelage, I made a breakthrough, winning a tournament in Thailand (Banthongyord International Championships). I believe it could be that victory that secured me a spot in the trials.
“So, getting into the national team is really a big break for me. I really have to thank the Penang BA for recommending me for the trial.”
Eu Cong will be aiming to establish himself in the team just like his rivals during the junior days such as Aidil Sholeh Ali Sadikin, Ng Tze Yong and Lim Chong King.
Eu Cong did impress in the national agegroup meets, finishing second to Aidil in the National Under-16 Championships and to Chia Wei Jie (now in national men’s doubles squad) in the National Under-18 Championships.
Although most of the current national players are products of the Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) development system, Eu Cong could well be a hidden gem.
It’s worth noting that mixed doubles ace Chan Peng Soon, also from Penang, did not join the national team until he was 18. He went on form a successful partnership with Goh Liu Ying, winning silver at the 2016 Rio Olympics.