KUALA LUMPUR — The Penang Badminton Association (PBA), Malaysia’s oldest badminton association is set to celebrate its 100th anniversary on November 22 with a lineup of star-studded guests.
The event will feature former Olympic and world champions, including Indonesia’s Taufik Hidayat, Japan’s Kento Momota, Indonesia’s Hendra Setiawan and Muhammad Ahsan, as well as Malaysian badminton icon Datuk Lee Chong Wei.
Speaking to Scoop, Penang BA president Datuk Kah Kau Kiak mentioned that most of the badminton stars have confirmed their attendance, and they are still awaiting a final confirmation from former women’s singles world No. 1 Tai Tzu Ying from Chinese Taipei.
“We are organising a large gala dinner at the SPICE Arena in Penang. We have also received confirmation from the Singapore Badminton Association that 20 individuals will be present, including former world champion Loh Kean Yew, his brother Loh Kean Hean, and mixed doubles expert Terry Hee,” said Kau Kiak, who recently secured re-election for the 2025–2029 term.
“Along with these legendary figures, we will also be privileged to have prominent sports leaders in attendance, including BWF president Madam Khunying (Patama Leeswadtrakul), BAM president Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz, OCM president Tan Sri Mohamad Norza Zakaria, and other esteemed guests.”
Guests can anticipate a unique exhibition featuring memorabilia and trophies from some of the sport’s most renowned badminton players.
It’s appropriate for the event to be so impressive, as the PBA is the oldest badminton association in the country, established in 1925, predating both the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) and the Badminton World Federation (BWF), which were founded nine years later.
Since its founding, the PBA has been a vital contributor to the national team, nurturing legendary players like Ooi Teck Hock, Datuk Eddie Choong, Saw See Leong, Tan Aik Huang, Datuk Teh Kew San, and even Lee Chong Wei.
Other notable players from Penang include Ong Ewe Chye, Ong Ewe Hock, two-time world junior champion Goh Jin Wei, Olympic silver medallist Chan Peng Soon, and former national mixed doubles head coach Chin Eei Hui. — July 2, 2025