Penang’s Sukma badminton squad narrowly avoided an upset in the men’s team event, edging Sarawak 3-2 after a sluggish performance in their second Group B match at the Setia City Convention Centre.
Captain Lee Jan Jireh, ranked 166th in the world, admitted the squad took their foot off the gas after demolishing Johor 5-0 on the opening day (15 August).
“We were not prepared for today. After beating Johor 5-0, we got cocky,” the 21-year-old told The Star after the match.
“We fielded our reserves to give them a chance to play but it almost backfired.”
Jan Jireh did his part in the tie, dispatching Sarawak’s Chung Jia Ho 21-4, 21-16 in straight games. But the tie scoreline sat at 2-2 heading into the decider, pitting Penang’s Kong Wei Xiang against Sarawak’s Jared Foo Dun Liang.
Penang brought just three singles players, five doubles players, and one reserve to Selangor, a thin roster despite the Penang Badminton Association offering RM5,000 for individual gold medals and RM10,000 for team gold at this Games.
“We only have three singles players, five doubles players, and one reserve player. It’s going to get very tiring,” Jan Jireh said.
Kong held his nerve in a three-set battle, winning 21-13, 19-21, 21-17 to seal the tie for Penang. The gold-only incentive scheme is aimed at instilling a winning mentality after Penang failed to win gold at the last Sukma in Sarawak in 2024 despite reaching three finals.
PBA had set a target of two gold, one silver, and two bronze medals for the Selangor Games, with team manager Eddie Yeoh expressing confidence that the target was achievable before the competition began. Six of the 16 Penang players had competed at the last Sukma, and 80 per cent of the squad remain eligible for the 2028 Games.
“We want the gold. Each player has their own role to play and if we work together, it is not impossible,” Jan Jireh said.
Penang’s path to gold does not get any easier. They face last Games runners-up Federal Territory next in the team event, with the competition running at the Setia City Convention Centre until August 24.
