Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, April 13, 2023: Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin, Malaysia’s Chef de Mission for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, began his duties as the head of the contingent by visiting the badminton team at the PETRONAS Akademi Badminton Malaysia on Wednesday, April 12.
The CDM, who was accompanied by the Deputy CDM, squash legend Nicol David, was warmly welcomed by Dato’ Kenny Goh Chee Keong, Secretary General of the Badminton Association of Malaysia, and Ms. Michelle Chai Han Ching, CEO of the Akademi Badminton Malaysia.
They spent two hours observing training sessions and later held a closed-door briefing with the badminton players of the Road to Gold Programme.
“I have accepted the appointment as Chef de Mission with pride and honour as it is a heavy responsibility given to me by the Government of Malaysia and the Olympic Council of Malaysia,” said Datuk Hamidin.
“I have urged all the badminton players in the RTG Programme to give their very best in the next 15 months towards the Paris Olympics.”
The retired eight-time world squash champion, Nicol David, also encouraged the badminton players to value and appreciate the opportunity given to them to compete in the Olympic Games as it does not come easily.
“Set your mind up to take every tournament like you are competing in Olympic Games,” she said.
“I hope all of you will push to the last few hurdles to achieve the gold medal target in the Olympic Games.”
Badminton players account for the majority of athletes in the RTG Programme. They are: Lee Zii Jia (men’s singles), Aaron Chia Teng Fong and Soh Wooi Yik (men’s doubles), Ong Yew Sin and Teo Ee Yi (men’s doubles), Pearly Tan Koong Le and Thinaah Muralitharan (women’s doubles), Tan Kian Meng and Lai Pei Jing (mixed doubles) and Goh Soon Huat and Shevon Jemie Lai (mixed doubles).
