Lee Chong Wei Cup 2026: New Badminton Tournament for Young Malaysian Talent
KUALA LUMPUR, — Seven years after retiring from professional competition, Malaysian badminton icon Datuk Seri Lee Chong Wei is seeing his legacy extended beyond the court with the launch of the inaugural Lee Chong Wei Cup .
The tournament, announced today at the Malaysian Badminton Academy in Bukit Kiara, will focus on developing the next generation of Malaysian shuttlers aged 13, 15, and 17. It represents a significant investment in grassroots badminton, offering a platform for young athletes to showcase their talent and potentially earn a place within the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) system.
“I am quite happy,” Chong Wei said at the launch event. “This is the first year of the tournament, and I hope we can hold it annually and upgrade it year by year.” The 43-year-old described hosting a tournament bearing his name as a long-held childhood dream, fueled by a desire to give back to the sport and the country.
The Lee Chong Wei Cup is a collaborative effort between BAM and SportsIntel, a local sports consulting agency, with sponsorship from Chery Malaysia. The tournament boasts a total prize pool of RM100,000 – the largest ever offered for a Malaysian youth badminton competition – designed to attract top young players and provide invaluable competitive experience.
Chong Wei, who currently serves as BAM’s performance chairman, emphasized the importance of focusing on youth development. He noted that established senior players already have full competition schedules, making it crucial to nurture emerging talent. “I also want to find more talents for BAM, especially now that I have a big responsibility as BAM’s performance chairman,” he stated.
Stuart Ramalingam, managing director of SportsIntel, detailed the tournament structure. The Lee Chong Wei Cup will feature singles and doubles categories for all three age groups (13, 15, and 17), with a mixed doubles category specifically for the 17-year-olds. Each category will begin with 128 players in the qualifying rounds, narrowing down to 32 who will advance to the round of 64 before competing in the finals.
The competition will feature a unique qualifying format. The top 32 players from open qualifiers will compete against 32 athletes selected from state-level competitions. The ultimate winner will receive the RM100,000 grand prize and the opportunity to train at the prestigious Malaysia Badminton Academy.
Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz, chairman of BAM, highlighted the importance of providing young players with exposure to proper competition, fair systems, and high standards. “Young players need exposure to proper competition, fair systems, and high standards. This tournament contributes to that ecosystem,” he said. “Badminton has always been more than just a sport in Malaysia — it brings people together, creates shared moments, and inspires belief.”
The launch event also provided a brief update on the upcoming Thomas Cup, scheduled to be held in Horsens, Denmark, from to . Chong Wei indicated that the full national team lineup will be revealed in April. The participation of women’s singles shuttler Goh Jin Wei remains unconfirmed.
On the men’s side, Lee Zii Jia has agreed to join the squad, waiving his image rights payment to do so. This gesture underscores the commitment of key players to representing Malaysia on the international stage.
The Lee Chong Wei Cup represents more than just a new tournament; it’s a tangible expression of Chong Wei’s desire to nurture the future of Malaysian badminton. By focusing on youth development and providing a platform for emerging talent, the tournament aims to discover the next generation of champions and ensure the continued success of the sport in Malaysia.
Dates and registration details for the inaugural Lee Chong Wei Cup will be announced at a later date.