KUALA LUMPUR – Former Olympic silver medallist Chan Peng Soon remains unfazed despite the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) not planning a retirement ceremony for him at the Malaysia Masters, which starts tomorrow.
Peng Soon, aged 36, announced last year that the tournament would mark the end of his career after competing internationally for 15 years.
When his partner, Goh Liu Ying, stepped off the international stage last year, BAM organised a brief ceremony before the Malaysia Open semi-finals, featuring Peng Soon and the likes of former men’s doubles pair Tan Boon Heong and Koo Kien Keat, as well as national men’s singles para player Cheah Liek Hou.
“I am satisfied with my career, and it seems like I have received various signs that it’s time for me to stop, and I have thought about it thoroughly,” said Peng Soon.
“I am not disappointed because all of that (arrangements for a retirement ceremony) is beyond my control. I cannot interfere with BAM because this tournament is under their jurisdiction. I also do not plan to organise my retirement ceremony because it doesn’t feel right.
“But personally, I don’t mind at all whether to do it or not, I don’t feel disappointed.”
To open his final tournament, Peng Soon, paired with Cheah Yee See, will face Cheng Xing-Li Qian from China.
Last year, their journey at the Malaysia Masters hit a roadblock early in the first round when they fell to South Koreans Kim Won-ho and Jeong Na-eun.
“I am not thinking about anything at all. Perhaps there’s a sense of nervousness to facing my last match, but that feeling has also been present in previous tournaments.
“But I don’t mind because I’m not thinking about all those things. I just want to enjoy my last match in this tournament,” he added. – May 20, 2024