Badminton Legend Mohammad Ahsan Inspires Next Generation in Singapore
Table of Contents
June 22, 2025
SINGAPORE – Two young badminton enthusiasts, Kev Chong, 8, and Joshua Tan, 10, experienced a dream come true on June 22nd, sharing the court with Indonesian badminton icon Mohammad Ahsan. The exhibition match highlighted the grand opening of a new Victor concept store, boasting 32 air-conditioned badminton courts, in Jurong East.
For Kev Chong,the experience was less about pressure and more about pride. I wasn’t really nervous, I was thinking that this is just a sparring game, it wasn’t a competition,
said the Kong Hwa Primary School student. Instead, he felt proud and honored
to spar with the three-time doubles world champion and former world No. 1.
Joshua tan of St AndrewS Junior school echoed the sentiment,expressing his excitement at the prospect to play with an Olympian for the first time.Both players are part of the Wyse Active Talent Development Programme,designed for players aged 7 to 13.
The event also drew notable figures, including Dr.Maliki Osman, former minister and patron-in-chief of the Singapore Badminton Association.
Ahsan Champions Youth Development
Ahsan, an ambassador for sports equipment manufacturer Victor alongside his long-time doubles partner Hendra Setiawan, emphasized the critical role of nurturing young talent for the sport’s continued success in the region.
It is very vital to support the kids, to support them financially, to support the ecosystem.Mohammad Ahsan
Ahsan’s comments come at a pivotal time for Indonesian badminton. He noted that Indonesia is undergoing a “reset” following a disappointing showing at the Paris Olympics in 2024, where Gregoria Tunjung’s bronze in women’s singles was the nation’s only medal. This is a stark contrast to Indonesia’s historical dominance in badminton,with eight gold,six silver,and eight bronze medals since 1992. The last gold medal was won by Greysia Polii and Apriyani Rahayu in women’s doubles at the Tokyo Games.
Despite the recent setback, Ahsan remains optimistic about the future of Indonesian badminton. The target is always the Olympics,
he stated, emphasizing the long-term vision for the national team.
Ahsan and Setiawan, affectionately known as “The Daddies” by fans, retired in January after the Indonesia Masters. Their impressive careers include victories at the Asian Games, SEA Games, and Thomas Cup, though an Olympic medal eluded them, finishing fourth in Tokyo. The pair now co-own a badminton center in Jakarta.
Victor Invests in Future Badminton Stars
Victor announced a $300,000 sponsorship over two years to support Wyse Active’s athlete development initiatives.These programs include “Dare to Dream,” which identifies promising talents aged 7 to 9 from lower-income families, and “AmberHeart Badminton Buddies,” providing sports opportunities for children in rental housing.
Daniel Yudi Kurniawan, director of Wyse Active, highlighted the program’s ambition: We are very serious about establishing a pipeline to the SBA programmes.
the talent development program aims to provide top-tier facilities, equipment, coaching from former national players, and opportunities for young talents to compete locally and internationally.
Currently, players train at least three times a week, with some, like Joshua Tan, eager for more. Inspired by his experience playing against Ahsan, Joshua dreams of becoming an Olympian himself.
Ahsan sees potential in the singaporean badminton scene, especially in men’s singles and mixed doubles. I hope this new facility will create new champions, new Loh Kean Yews, new Yeo Jia Mins,
he said, referring to prominent Singaporean badminton players.
The Future of Badminton: A U.S. Perspective
While this event focuses on Singapore and Indonesia, the emphasis on youth development resonates globally, including in the United States. The U.S. badminton scene,while not as prominent as in Asia,is growing,with increasing participation at the grassroots level. Investment in facilities and coaching, as demonstrated by Victor and Wyse Active, could be a model for fostering talent in the U.S. Could similar programs help elevate U.S. badminton on the world stage, perhaps mirroring the success of other niche sports that have gained popularity in recent years?
The commitment to identifying and nurturing young talent, irrespective of socioeconomic background, is a crucial step in building a sustainable future for badminton worldwide. The U.S. could learn from these initiatives as it seeks to develop its own pipeline of elite badminton players.
Key Takeaways: Badminton’s Future and the Role of Youth Growth
To further illustrate the key aspects of this story, let’s delve into a comparative analysis of badminton’s development, highlighting crucial data points and providing unique insights into what makes this sport thrive.
| Feature | Detail | meaning |
|——————————|———————————————————————————————————————————————————————|————————————————————————————————————————————————–|
| Event focus | Grand opening of a Victor concept store in Singapore, featuring 32 badminton courts and an exhibition match with Mohammad Ahsan. | Demonstrates investment in infrastructure and a commitment to growing badminton at the grassroots level. |
| Youth Development Programs | Wyse Active’s “Dare to Dream” (ages 7-9, lower-income families) and “AmberHeart Badminton Buddies”(children in rental housing), supported by a $300,000 Victor sponsorship. | Showcases a multifaceted approach to talent identification and development, focusing on inclusivity and broad access to the sport. |
| Mohammad Ahsan’s Role | Serving as an ambassador and advocate for youth development, highlighting the importance of supporting young players and the ecosystem. | Reinforces the message that long-term success requires a focus on the next generation of players. |
| Indonesian Badminton “Reset” | Recent performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics: one bronze medal. Indonesia’s ancient Olympic success (8 gold medals sence 1992). | Contrasts historical dominance with the current performance, underscoring the need to nurture future talent. |
| Singaporean Badminton | Ahsan sees potential,particularly in men’s singles and mixed doubles. | Indicates opportunities for growth and development in Singapore’s badminton scene. |
| U.S. Badminton | Growing grassroots participation; potential to learn from programs like Wyse Active’s to build a player pipeline and elevate U.S. badminton’s global standing. | Highlights the global relevance of youth development initiatives and the prospect for the United States to learn from successful models in Asia.|
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
This FAQ section answers common questions about the story, providing clear and concise details for readers.
Q: who is Mohammad Ahsan?
A: Mohammad Ahsan is a three-time Badminton World Champion and former world No. 1 in men’s doubles, representing Indonesia. He is a badminton legend and is now involved in promoting youth development in the sport.
Q: what is the Wyse Active Talent Development Program?
A: It is a program designed to nurture young badminton talent in Singapore, with a focus on players aged 7 to 13. it comprises initiatives like “Dare to Dream” and “AmberHeart Badminton Buddies,” supported by Victor,to provide top-tier training,facilities and competitions for young athletes.
Q: What is the significance of Victor’s sponsorship?
A: Victor’s $300,000 sponsorship of the Wyse Active programs demonstrates a commitment to developing young players and creating a sustainable future for badminton. This investment is crucial for supporting infrastructure, coaching, and access to the sport for talented youth.
Q: How does Ahsan inspire the next generation?
A: Through his presence at events, such as the Victor concept store opening, and his advocacy for youth development, Ahsan is directly inspiring young players by sharing his experience and emphasizing the importance of dedication and support in their badminton journey. He serves as a role model and a reminder of the success achievable through hard work.
Q: How is the Indonesian badminton team doing recently?
A: Following a disappointing performance at the Paris Olympics in 2024, with a single bronze medal, Indonesian badminton is undergoing a reset phase. Although this represents a dip in performance relative to the nation’s historical Olympic success Indonesia aims to build a new team to be prepared for the next Olympics.
Q: How can the U.S. improve its badminton program?
A: The U.S. can emulate successful youth development programs like wyse Active’s in Singapore by investing in infrastructure, coaching, and access to the sport at the grassroots level. This would build a player pipeline and elevate U.S. Badminton’s standing on the world stage.
Q: What is the future of badminton’s scoring system?
A: The scoring system is subject to adaptation to make the game more exciting and faster. Though, some authorities consider that a shorter game will diminish the value of the sport [[3]].
Q: What are the main causes of lower back pain in badminton?
A: Frequent badminton can cause intense pain in the lower back [[1]], especially when a player is not prepared to pick up the shuttlecock from the floor.
.jpg "Morelos Sub-15 Badminton Stars Santiago Paul Ramírez and Kiara Yunuen Manzón")