BADMINTON: Mis-sent email?

This speech was emailed to all sports editors. I presume this is a draft speech that was supposed to be emailed to the person delivering the speech.

Speech by
Yang Berbahagia Dato’ Jack Koh
Kopiko Purple League Closing Ceremony 

1 February 2015

SALUTATIONS

A very good evening to:
Mr Ng Kin Kok
Group Country Manager for Malaysia, Singapore & Brunei
Inbisco Marketing and Sales Sdn Bhd

And members of the media

Thank you all for joining us this evening.

It was in April last year when we first announced the establishment of the Malaysia Purple League and now we have come to the end of Malaysia’s first professional badminton league. Developments have been made in the last few months and we are very confident that this tournament will have a major impact on the development of badminton in the country.

Running and organizing the first professional badminton league is no easy task. There were many challenges to overcome and we take each challenge with stride. Moving forward, I promise that Season 2 of Purple League will be much better and even more exciting.

Note to Dato: You may give them a preview of one point but do not reveal too many things otherwise nothing to say at the next PC.

(Thank Media)
We are extremely grateful to our local media, especially Astro as the official broadcaster, other national television networks, print publications, and local and international online mediums that have come forward to give us tremendous amount of exposure and coverage despite this being a new league. We know that you have helped Purple League to be reached out to every Malaysian when even the mamaks stalls are showing Purple League on their television and people from very far rural areas call us up requesting for tickets to watch their favourite badmintons star. On behalf of Kopiko Purple League, I thank each and every one of you for making this a success.

(Thank Sponsors)
The Purple League would not happen without the generous support from our title sponsor Kopiko. Thank you for believing in us and supporting out cause. The main sponsors that have been giving us their tremendous support over these five months are Senheng, Li-Ning, Samsung Malaysia Electronics and many more.

Members of the media,

(Congratulations to the winners)
For these past few months we have seen these talented individuals battling against each other to collect as many points as possible for their respective teams. I would like to congratulate the Champion of the league, Muar City BC, 2nd place winner Puchong United BC/Petaling BC, and third place winner Puchong United BC/Petaling BC. These teams have demonstrated outstanding grit and stamina and have proven themselves to be true champions.

It is not an easy task to run and manage a club of star players and all 12 teams have performed beyond expectations. I am very proud of all of them and they deserve all-round credit and congratulations.

Throughout this season, the clubs have also held sessions called ‘Fans Activation’ where star players would go on-ground to meet and greet their fans and to garner support. Badminton clubs are also branding and marketing themselves in a big way for the very first time. Some of them have even garnered over 20,000 fans in their facebook fan page, and many have become well-known within the community they represent.

All the participating players have also done their teams proud. Players have prepared themselves well and we hope to further develop and nurture these talented individuals in becoming the next star in the badminton scene worldwide. It takes dedication, perseverance and discipline to become national or world champions.

(Highlights of Season 1)
Obviously there were many outstanding matches that have taken place here. I wish to congratulate all the players who have been playing and training diligently with their coaches, and your hard work really speaks for itself on court. Some of the more outstanding matches to me are

(Dato to advise which ones you one to highlight – two of each category 
  • Former national champions: Hafiz Hashim (beat Kento Momota) and Yogendran has demonstrated that they can still have what it takes to overcome current national and international champions; 
  • Current national players: Liew Darren (singles and doubles), etc 
  • Major upsets: Derek Wong Zi Liang (KUBC) beat Jan Jorgenson, Hafiz Hashion beat Kento Momota 
  • Young players and rising players such as Goh Jin Wei, Sathieswaren and Cheam June Wei
Members of the media

(Not short of talents: Finding the next Malaysian Badminton Superstar)

The primary objective of the Purple League is to identify the next Malaysian Badminton Superstar. While we cannot promise that we have found one or a few, immediately after the first league, for those of you media that have been following the league closely, you would agree with me that, with the number of upsets that you have seen throughout this first season, Malaysia can now see a glimmer of hope to the long unanswered question, “Who is the next Dato Lee Chong Wei?” Malaysians can see for themselves that we are not short of talents, but rather short of opportunities to compete and gain more exposure.

With the support of the government, former badminton greats and distinguished coaches, we look forward to playing our part in producing future junior and world champions.

(Champions Challenge)
Last but not least, I would like to make a special mention of the Resorts World Genting Champions Challenge, which will be held at Arena of the Stars, Genting Highlands. The Champions Challenge is a post league challenge involving the top 8 teams in the Kopiko Purple League. We are truly grateful that the Resorts World Genting has come in as a generous sponsor to support us in this post-league endeavour. I am aware that most of you will be joining us at Genting, so I will see you at the top!

Last but not least, I would like to officially conclude the 1st Season of Kopiko Purple League and we look forward to many more leagues to come.

Majukan Sukan Untuk Negara. SUPPORT LA Kopiko Purple League!

Thank you.

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