International shuttlers set to turn MPL into sizzling affair

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 7 (Bernama) -- Taiwan’s world number five men’s singles shuttler Chou Tien Chen and Malaysia’s two-time women’s junior world champion Goh Jin Wei are among the big names set to compete in the Malaysia Purple League (MPL) to be held in Shah Alam and Genting Highlands in October.

MPL chief operating officer Ho Khek Mon said the tournament, which was last staged in 2018, would see the participation of four local and four international teams.

He explained that the involvement of world-class international shuttlers was to give national players the opportunity to play competitively in a league format.

“For this year’s edition, four countries - Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam and Singapore - will send their top players, among them are Chou Tien Chen (Taiwan), Nguyen Tien Minh (Vietnam) as well as Terry Hee Yong Kai, Loh Kean Hean and Jessica Tan Wei Han (Singapore).

“Four local clubs will also take part in the competitive league to vie for the title, which offers a total prize money of RM500,000,”  he told reporters at the MPL media conference here today.

Khek Mon said that apart from Jin Wei, other local professional shuttlers involved in the MPL are mixed doubles pair Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Jemie Lai and women’s singles ace Soniia Cheah.

Meanwhile, Youth and Sports Ministry secretary-general Datuk Jana Santhiran Muniayan said the involvement of international players was the best training ground for national athletes, besides helping in the development of badminton in Malaysia.

“Tournaments like these are very important because they open up space to showcase new talents as the country’s back-up shuttlers,” he said.

The sixth season of the Purple League is set to be held at the Malawati Stadium in Shah Alam from Oct 1-6 while the final rounds will be held at the Arena of Stars, Genting Highlands on Oct 8-9.

-- BERNAMA