TheStar Dec 12 TAKING fans by surprise, popstar Sally Yeh picked up a racquet and beat former badminton world champion Wang Lian Xiang at the Badminton Stadium in Kuala Lumpur. Nanyang Siang Pau front-paged a photograph of the Hong Kong singer, recently appointed International Badminton Federation (IBF) ambassador, in action. Another picture showed her with Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali and other well-known players. Yeh was in town to attend the official opening of the IBF office located at the stadium here. It has been rumoured that Yeh was dating badminton coach Yang Shang Ren and the affair affected her marriage with Hong Kong singer George Lam. Yeh said: “I am not furious with the rumours but I never expected an extra-curricular activity like playing badminton to become a source of gossip. “I thought playing badminton was just another healthy sport. But I will not stop playing because of the rumours,” she said, adding that the sport was her favourite hobby. “I find the rumour funny. But if it helps more people get into the sport, I don't mind.” Yeh said the rumour would not affect her friendship with Yang.
sally is a perfect spoke person for badminton. thumbs up for the ibf on this appointment (or was it sally demanded this position in the first place )
Is this related to From Badminton Association of Malaysia website: http://www.bam.org.my/newsitem.php?id=146 "Mixed responses to 21-point rally scoring system 12/12/05, 01:13:34 KUALA LUMPUR: There were mixed responses from the Olympic Games gold medallists on the International Badminton Federation’s (IBF) move to try out the 21-point rally scoring format in all world ranking tournaments from February next year. Yesterday, Indonesian couple Alan Budi Kusuma and Susi Susanti, who were the 1992 men’s and women’s singles gold medallist at the Barcelona Games; and the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games women’s singles champions Bang Soo-hyun of South Korea tried out the system during the official opening ceremony of the new IBF headquarters in Kuala Lumpur. Atlanta Games men’s champion Poul-Erik Hoyer-Larsen was also present but did not play during the simple opening officiated by Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali. Others present during the ceremony were IBF’s newly-appointed ambassador Sally Yeh of Hong Kong, local singer D.J. Dave, Indonesian actress Mia El Dabo and Indian Bollywood star Aftab Shivdasani Susi, who played in a mixed doubles match, took time to get adjusted to the new system. “I have not played under this new format before. I am just a little confused. There is no time to rest because the service changes hands at every point,” said the 34-year-old, who was inducted into the IBF’s Hall of Fame last year. Her chubby husband Alan was also on uncharted waters with the new format and said: “I have been out of touch of badminton for a while now. This is certainly very new for me. But it could be good if the change brings better coverage for the game.” The lanky Soo-hyun seemed more excited about the new format and concluded: “It only takes a little time to get adjusted to it.”
I know Sally is a very good singer and actress. I know she likes badminton a lot but i am amazed that she beat Susi. What was the score like?
What might be even more impressive is that I know Sally had tennis elbow in her usual badminton arm... so she might've been playing with her less favored arm.
