KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian badminton legend Rashid Sidek believes Lee Chong Wei deserves to be in the Badminton World Federation (BWF) Hall of Fame.
Rashid said Chong Wei's induction should not be questioned as he had ticked all the boxes under the selection criteria.
Rashid's comments came after controversial remarks by Indonesia's former Olympic champion Taufik Hidayat, who questioned BWF's rationale for inducting Chong Wei into the Hall of Fame.
Chong Wei, a three-time Olympics silver medallist, was honoured alongside five-time world champion and two-time Olympic gold medallist Lin Dan of China at a ceremony here last month.
Rashid, who had previously coached Chong Wei, said: "I understand Taufik's argument, but nowhere in the selection criteria does it mention that an inductee must be an Olympic or world champion.
"Chong Wei, in my opinion, was a little unlucky not to win these major titles, but he went on to become the undisputed Super Series King (with 47 titles). He was also world No 1 for six years. I don't think anyone can come close to achieving these milestones.
"Prior to retiring at the age of 37, Chong Wei played at the highest level. Let's not forget he won his 12th Malaysia Open crown just one year before that.
"Chong Wei is one of those outstanding individuals who has contributed so much to badminton. His recognition is well deserved, in my opinion."
In an Indonesian television programme, Taufik, arguably one of the most talented and gifted players of the modern era, touched on the fact that Chong Wei was never crowned an Olympic or world champion during his illustrious career.
Taufik, meanwhile, won gold at the 2004 Athens Olympics and the 2005 World Championships in Anaheim and was crowned men's singles champion at the 2002 Busan and 2006 Doha Asian Games.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
from New Straits Times https://ift.tt/rQvBjA9
0 Comments