Zulfadli Zulkifli

**twobeer** · 07-17-2011, 07:45 AM

Seems he is going over to Li-Ning.

The star Sunday 17/7:

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By RAJES PAUL

A sponsorship deal with Sunlight Li Ning, one of China’s top sporting brands, has put the smiles on the faces of the aspiring juniors in the Kuala Lumpur Badminton Association (KLBA).

Yesterday, all the 74 budding youngsters under the state programme turned up when the KLBA signed a two-year sponsorship package with Li Ning in a ceremony at the Wisma OCM Hall here. Kuala Lumpur is the first state in Malaysia to come under Li Ning’s sponsorship. Li Ning sponsors a number of the world’s top stars, including China’s three-time men’s singles champion Lin Dan.

Reigning Asian Junior champion Zulfadli Zulkifli said that KL team were thrilled with Li Ning coming in a big way to realise their dreams to become top players.

“The junior players are all excited. They will enjoy the benefits of using many of Li Ning’s equipment. It will certainly motivate them to take their game to greater heights,” said the 18-year-old Zulfadli.

Zulfadli, who is a club member of KLRC but trains three times a week with coach A. Shankar in Cheras under the KLBA programme, will also get to enjoy the perks with Li Ning after his contract with Ashaway ends in October.

Mahender Kapoor, a Li Ning representative, met with Zulfadli in a separate meeting yesterday to negotiate with the youngster on a future collaboration.

KLBA president Datuk Mohd Norza Zakaria said that the sponsorship boost from Li Ning would spur the state to produce more talented players for the country.

“This is another new milestone for KLBA and we are very proud of our new relationship with Li Ning. The equipment sponsorship will do a world of good for our players,” he said.

“KLBA is located at the heart and soul of the nation and we want to take up the responsibility of producing first class players for the country.

“Our juniors have been doing well over the last one year and through our partnership with Li Ning, we hope to take their standard to an even higher level,” added Norza, who was elected as the president last year.

The Kuala Lumpur team have shown marked improvement in their junior programme last year. The team, led by Zulfadli, are the two-time Inter-State champions and have won several titles in this year’s 100Plus National Junior Circuit. They have also produced several potential players for the Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS).

Datuk Dr Al-Amin Majid, the deputy president of the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM), said that there would not be any conflict of interest between Li Ning and Yonex, the national team’s sponsor.

“Penang’s team is sponsored by Gosen. It is good to see different sporting brands coming into the picture to support the development of badminton in our country. It augurs well for the sport. Only BAM players representing the country will have to abide by our rules,” said Al-Amin, who was present at the signing ceremony.

Courtesy of The Star
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**eaglehelang** · 07-17-2011, 08:43 AM

This is what Datuk Andrew Kam looks like nowadays. Prosperous look

Full article : http://www.bharian.com.my/bharian/ar...anKLRC/Article

I like what Andrew Kam said in here :
“Saya tubuhkan KLRC bukan kerana mahu berlawan dengan sesiapa termasuk Persatuan Badminton Malaysia (BAM), sebaliknya matlamat saya hanya satu iaitu membantu negara. Lagipun, saya minat dan cintakan badminton,” kata Andrew
"I set up KLRC not to compete with anybody including BAM, but my objective was only 1 : to help the country. I'm also interested/passionate about & love badminton"

Ketika ditanya sekiranya Zulfadli mahu keluar dari KLRC, Andrew menjawab: “Saya tidak boleh memaksa orang mencintai saya. Jadi, saya beri kebebasan kepadanya untuk membuat keputusan. Apa yang penting bukan saya atau KLRC, tetapi bakat yang ada padanya terus digilap dan saya mahu lagu Negaraku berkumandang dan Jalur Gemilang berkibar megah,” katanya.
When asked if Zulfadli wants out from KLRC, Andrew answered " I cannot force others to love me. So, I give freedom to him to make the decision. What is important is not me or KLRC, but the talent in him is groomed/polished. I want the Negaraku to be sung & Jalur Gemilang(Msian flag) to fly high"

Hahaha, smart PR answer Datuk Andrew. Anyway, finally he can talk louder.

**Loh** · 07-17-2011, 08:51 AM

Originally Posted by chris-ccc

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Loh, just reading what you have posted, it can be seen that you think that KLRC is competing against BAM, and/or Indonesian clubs are competing against PBSI.

I see things differently. I see KLRC members/ organisers as people trying to establish themselves a family of Badminton players/enthusiastic fans.

To me, BAM is a government institution. In Malaysia, we should be glad if we can find more private clubs which can complement BAM.

Currently, KLRC has done well; not only that they are catering for Malaysian players, but also for some overseas players as well.

.

I think KLRC will be complementing BAM in a more meaningful way if it continues to provide financial support, as stated in its objectives, and training facilities to develop young talents. Once these young talents are ready for the bigger things they should be transferred to BAM to transform them into national and international players who can bring glory to the nation.

Although I'm not sure of the current arrangement in Malaysia, it seems to me that young talents from the various state badminton associations have been providing BAM with all these raw materials to be polished. I believe there are sports schools, private badminton academies and other grassroots organisations helping the state associations in its work of providing BAM with the potential players all these years and it makes good sense.

BAM, with its many years of experience that includes the successful development of world-class players that have won international honours for the country, already has the huge badminton training machinery in existence and the easy availability of expert knowledge in other sports areas from the Sports Council. Through the years BAM has built up close relationship with other like-minded institutions from other countries and BWF. Indeed, like many institutions, BAM has its ups and downs and politics have invariably invaded its workings in the past and continue to do so now. So less politics from the outside may help BAM stabilise itself and focus on the more important issues.

Don't forget Malaysia is still one of the world badminton powerhouses although other hitherto lesser-known badminton countries are trying to catch up.

If KLRC wants to compete with BAM to produce world-class players for Malaysia in a big scale, KLRC may have to replicate most of the functions and resources that existed in BAM. It may also have to compete with BAM in other areas such as sponsorship, etc and instead of complementing BAM, it may become an unwanted adversary.

As I see it right now, most of KLRC's support goes to the "has been" players and we have seen that most of these players are not really complementing BAM in that they are unable to represent the country effectively, i.e. win titles.

ZZ is a special case because of his recent success as the Asian Junior Champion. So KLRC is trying very hard to retain him instead of feeding to BAM. We all know that ZZ may be in the limelight now, but will he be able to make good at the senior level. In fact, most of us feel that ZZ will find Victor Axelsen of Denmark hard beat at this year's World Junior Championships. Will he be able to do better that LCW who already won the silver medal at Beijing Olympics 2008? Will KLRC be able to provide him all he needs to become an Olympic Champion, just as what BAM has provided LCW at the last Olympics and continues to provide all the support required for next year's London Olympics?

This is the kind of competition that KLRC has to face to compete with BAM. BAM will be around for a long, long time for it has the support of the government and it was established under "the Sports Development Act 1997 of the Laws of Malaysia"! So KLRC must do much more than just being "a family of Badminton players/enthusiastic fans" as you put it.

**Loh** · 07-17-2011, 09:17 AM

Originally Posted by chris-ccc

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We can also compare private schools versus government schools. The private schools are established not to compete against government schools; but are established because the founders thought of creating a family of students with certain objectives, whether for their own religions, cultures, languages, etc, ......

An additional example: When a certain private tuition academy is established to aid school children in their studies, we also cannot say that that private tuition academy is competing against government/private schools.

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The school scene is quite different.

In Singapore, the overall government institution handling all educational matters is the Ministry of Education, commonly known as MOE.

MOE dictates what the school syllabus should be, what exams schools are allowed to sit for, whether private schools are of acceptable standard to be allowed to do business, etc. If private schools do not perform up to standard, they can be closed, and recently many private colleges have been closed.

Inspections of schools are made on a regular basis by MOE and even a grading and ranking of the respective government schools is done annually I think.

Private schools can "compete" with government schools by scoring better results at important examinations like the Cambridge "O" level. But most of the time the top schools come from government schools with better funding, better trained teachers and well-equipped facilities.

Private tuition is out of the official system if they are not commercially established, like home tuition. There are laws governing contractual obligations between the tutor and his students as there are laws governing the establishment of commercial enterprises, which I suppose the private schools also fall under apart from MOE requirements.

**Loh** · 07-17-2011, 09:34 AM

Originally Posted by eaglehelang

This is what Datuk Andrew Kam looks like nowadays. Prosperous look

Full article : http://www.bharian.com.my/bharian/ar...anKLRC/Article

I like what Andrew Kam said in here :
“Saya tubuhkan KLRC bukan kerana mahu berlawan dengan sesiapa termasuk Persatuan Badminton Malaysia (BAM), sebaliknya matlamat saya hanya satu iaitu membantu negara. Lagipun, saya minat dan cintakan badminton,” kata Andrew
"I set up KLRC not to compete with anybody including BAM, but my objective was only 1 : to help the country. I'm also interested/passionate about & love badminton"

Ketika ditanya sekiranya Zulfadli mahu keluar dari KLRC, Andrew menjawab: “Saya tidak boleh memaksa orang mencintai saya. Jadi, saya beri kebebasan kepadanya untuk membuat keputusan. Apa yang penting bukan saya atau KLRC, tetapi bakat yang ada padanya terus digilap dan saya mahu lagu Negaraku berkumandang dan Jalur Gemilang berkibar megah,” katanya.
When asked if Zulfadli wants out from KLRC, Andrew answered " I cannot force others to love me. So, I give freedom to him to make the decision. What is important is not me or KLRC, but the talent in him is groomed/polished. I want the Negaraku to be sung & Jalur Gemilang(Msian flag) to fly high"

Hahaha, smart PR answer Datuk Andrew. Anyway, finally he can talk louder.

With the Li Ning deal and perhaps more to come, now KLRC will have to contend with KLBA, other than BAM, over ZZ!

Now I wonder whether the cream of the KLBA talent pool will ultimately go to BAM?

Very hot politics, ya!

**Loh** · 07-18-2011, 08:15 PM

The Malay Mail

Faizal Nor Izham
Monday, July 18th, 2011 12:28:00

KUALA LUMPUR: The Kuala Lumpur Badminton Association (KLBA) has signed a sponsorship agreement with sports goods distributor Sunlight Sports Pte Ltd which will supply Li Ning badminton accessories and equipment to KLBA junior squad members aged 12 to 18.

KLBA was represented by its president Datuk Mohamad Norza Haji Zakaria and the Sunlight Group by its director Mahender Kapoor of Sunlight Sports Singapore at the signing ceremony on Saturday at the Olympic Sports Hotel in Jalan Hang Jebat.

Also present was Datuk Dr Mohamed Al-Amin Abdul Majid who's deputy president of the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) and vice-president of the Badminton Asia Confederation (BAC).

"We hope to develop a long-term relationship with both the Sunlight Group and Li-Ning to help our youths move up to the next level," said Norza.

The sponsorship comes in the wake of the team's success at the June 2011 Malaysian National Junior Interstate Championship in Penang and the 2011 Asian Junior Badminton Championship in Lucknow, India in July.

The signing ceremony was followed by a presentation on the brand and group photo session with the VIPs and the 60 junior KLBA representatives who were present.

Li Ning Company Limited, which made its name selling footwear and sporting apparel in China, is named after the well-known Chinese national artistic gymnast and entrepreneur Li Ning, who founded the company in 1990.

He was also the first Chinese inductee into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame in 2000

**chris-ccc** · 07-20-2011, 01:01 AM

Originally Posted by Loh

The Malay Mail

Faizal Nor Izham
Monday, July 18th, 2011 12:28:00

KUALA LUMPUR: The Kuala Lumpur Badminton Association (KLBA) has signed a sponsorship agreement with sports goods distributor Sunlight Sports Pte Ltd which will supply Li Ning badminton accessories and equipment to KLBA junior squad members aged 12 to 18.

KLBA was represented by its president Datuk Mohamad Norza Haji Zakaria and the Sunlight Group by its director Mahender Kapoor of Sunlight Sports Singapore at the signing ceremony on Saturday at the Olympic Sports Hotel in Jalan Hang Jebat.

Also present was Datuk Dr Mohamed Al-Amin Abdul Majid who's deputy president of the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) and vice-president of the Badminton Asia Confederation (BAC).

"We hope to develop a long-term relationship with both the Sunlight Group and Li-Ning to help our youths move up to the next level," said Norza.

The sponsorship comes in the wake of the team's success at the June 2011 Malaysian National Junior Interstate Championship in Penang and the 2011 Asian Junior Badminton Championship in Lucknow, India in July.

The signing ceremony was followed by a presentation on the brand and group photo session with the VIPs and the 60 junior KLBA representatives who were present.

Li Ning Company Limited, which made its name selling footwear and sporting apparel in China, is named after the well-known Chinese national artistic gymnast and entrepreneur Li Ning, who founded the company in 1990.

He was also the first Chinese inductee into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame in 2000

.
Good on Li Ning for making its way to sponsor Badminton in Malaysia.

.

**pajrul** · 08-02-2011, 02:21 PM

last saturday.. as most saturdays.. its my weekly morning badminton at vision badminton centre in pj... but that saturday was different.. KLRC had a final for some internal tournament that they have.. and its between zz and uncle wch...

it was a treat to watch world class badminton right where you need to shift to avoid the sweat from players...
the game was close, stretching to 3 sets and deuce in rubber set ( i forget the score)... zz had game point on a few occasions.. but wch seems nonchalant and unworried and he won... amazing..

yes .. zz is talented and a good bet for second ms place as he showed great flair and tenacity.. it makes your heart warm with hope.. but the one thing that he lacked and what wch had bucketful of is the confidence that he could win no matter how dire..

it all came to perspective after the game as i overhead the officials discussing the logistics of going for post match lunch.. wch could drive to the venue.. zz had to ask his mum to drive him...he still dont have a driving license

**pajrul** · 08-02-2011, 02:26 PM

yes i wish i had brought a camera.. wch was very humble, friendly and approachable...he is very much what many people describe him...

**chris-ccc** · 08-02-2011, 05:12 PM

Originally Posted by pajrul

last saturday.. as most saturdays.. its my weekly morning badminton at vision badminton centre in pj... but that saturday was different.. KLRC had a final for some internal tournament that they have.. and its between zz and uncle wch...

it was a treat to watch world class badminton right where you need to shift to avoid the sweat from players... the game was close, stretching to 3 sets and deuce in rubber set ( i forget the score)... zz had game point on a few occasions.. but wch seems nonchalant and unworried and he won... amazing..

yes .. zz is talented and a good bet for second ms place as he showed great flair and tenacity.. it makes your heart warm with hope.. but the one thing that he lacked and what wch had bucketful of is the confidence that he could win no matter how dire..

it all came to perspective after the game as i overhead the officials discussing the logistics of going for post match lunch.. wch could drive to the venue.. zz had to ask his mum to drive him...he still dont have a driving license

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Perhaps WCH was taking things easy until the crucial finish.

WCH's confidence comes from his vast experience (from playing many different types of players). Yes, ZZ must have played well; to be able to take WCH to a 3rd game.

I would be interested to know how they played (who was aggressive or defensive?).

.

**chris-ccc** · 08-02-2011, 05:18 PM

Originally Posted by pajrul

yes i wish i had brought a camera.. wch was very humble, friendly and approachable...he is very much what many people describe him...

.
IMHO, both WCH and ZZ are quite similar; both are quiet, humble, friendly and approachable.

.

**limsy** · 08-03-2011, 04:29 AM

cant really describe zz as humble
but doesnt mean he is arrogant
just a bit extra of confident
haha

**pajrul** · 08-03-2011, 01:03 PM

yup .. typical for kids his age.. in other words.. he seems normal enough.. but he seems upset he lost and wch was trying to cheer him up that time

Originally Posted by limsy

cant really describe zz as humble
but doesnt mean he is arrogant
just a bit extra of confident
haha

**chris-ccc** · 08-03-2011, 10:52 PM

Originally Posted by pajrul

yup .. typical for kids his age.. in other words.. he seems normal enough.. but he seems upset he lost and wch was trying to cheer him up that time

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Yes, typical for kids at his age.

He should know/realise how much experience WCH has.

IMHO, currently WCH should defeat ZZ by mere experience. When ZZ has acquired more experience, ZZ should be able to perform better.
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**eaglehelang** · 08-04-2011, 01:48 AM

Originally Posted by pajrul

yes i wish i had brought a camera.. wch was very humble, friendly and approachable...he is very much what many people describe him...

Haiseh! You didnt ask for uncle WCH's autograph ? He's retiring soon, so....wouldnt be seeing him n action on court, in tournaments that is. I wouldnt be surprised if the German club wants him over there.

**ngkt67** · 08-10-2011, 03:19 AM

If ZZ truely joining BAM in condition not getting influence by political influence, I guarantee if he play well in any upcoming tournaments, he would representing national team in the next year thomas cup, and then he likely able to qualify for the 2013 world championship and as the team member of Sudirman Cup...