Badminton holds the title of Malaysia’s national sport, yet few are aware of the rising costs associated with it.
During a recent match at the Malaysian Badminton open, South Korean doubles player Seo Seung-jae missed a crucial shot at the net, resulting in the shuttlecock being crushed as it rolled away. Taiwanese commentators humorously remarked, “It’s like squashing a takeout meal.”
Among my badminton-loving friends, conversations frequently enough turn to the sport’s increasing expense, especially in light of rising inflation. They debate which brands offer the most durability, with some even suggesting unconventional methods like refrigerating shuttlecocks to extend their lifespan.
As a long-time player, I’ve only recently noticed the sharp price hike. A box of 12 shuttlecocks now costs between 80 to over 100 ringgits, averaging 7 to 10 ringgits per piece—equivalent to a hearty meal of roasted pork rice.
Following the Paris Olympics, the women’s singles category saw a significant shift.With the retirement of stars like Tai Tzu Ying, Akane Yamaguchi, Ma Lin, and Chen Yufei, South Korea’s An Xianying emerged as the new face of the sport.
Initially, my opinion of An Xianying was lukewarm. However, her Olympic gold medal victory and her heroic exposure of systemic bullying within the Badminton Association reshaped my viewpoint.
An Xianying joined the national team at just 15. I first saw her at the 2018 Asian Badminton Solidarity Championships in Alor Setar, where she was a young contender overshadowed by established players like Okuhara Nozomi, Yamaguchi Akane, and Chen Yufei. Back then, South korea’s top player was Sung Ji-hyun, affectionately known as “Princess.”
Despite her unassuming appearance—small eyes, a mushroom haircut, and dark skin—An Xianying steadily rose to prominence, showcasing her exceptional talent and resilience.
She revealed that as the youngest team member, she was burdened with menial tasks, including washing her male teammates’ underwear. Her knee injury was ignored,and she was exploited for free sponsor advertisements. She endured verbal and physical abuse, and her training resources were unfairly limited. A South Korean congressional inquiry confirmed her seven-year ordeal of bullying.
Despite facing more criticism than praise after her Olympic win, An Xianying stood firm. She declared herself the first to speak out, willing to bear the consequences to drive change. Her courage was fueled by her Olympic gold medal, proving that performance is an athlete’s ultimate confidence. Only by standing atop the podium can one’s voice truly resonate and inspire change.
An xianying’s goal is to “enjoy badminton, perform well in every match, and become a legend.” Her ability to transform pressure into motivation and find joy in the sport reflects a mature and graceful mindset.
in January of this year, An Xianying clinched victories at the Malaysian Super 1000 and Indian Super 750 tournaments. At 23, she has reached the pinnacle of her technical, physical, and mental prowess, setting a benchmark in the sport.
ether VICTOR orYonex produces the better shuttlecock, with prices for a dozen Yonex Aerosensa 30 shuttlecocks now exceeding 100 ringgit, up from 80 ringgit just two years ago.
A drive through urban Malaysia reveals burgeoning numbers of badminton courts, yet fees continue to climb, notably in urban centers, where weekday court reservations can cost 20 ringgit or more, and as much as 30 ringgit on weekends. Playably, it truly seems tough to select a court, players will arrive and demand the court they want, without prior notice.
Moreover, competition for courts intensifies during festive seasons, with some booking courts for years in advance. Seasoned sports observers speculate that court owners might be exploiting this toraise prices, reserving courts for profit.
Amidst this scenario, the “bubble effect” in badminton is becoming more pronounced, with the sport increasingly perceived as a luxury for the privileged, creating a concerning social stratification around it.
Therefore, if you find an unoccupied court at a modest cost this festive season, consider yourself lucky, and by all means, enjoy it!
This is an original article from Malaysia’s largest Chinese-language media, China Press. For more insightful stories, please visit https://www.chinapress.com.my or subscribe to the newsletter at http://bit.ly/CPNEWSLETTER
