Kuala Lumpur: The country’s badminton legend, Datuk Lee Chong Wei suggested that athletes listed in the Road To Gold (RTG) programme in preparation for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games (LA 28) accept the offer.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Chong Wei, who is a member of the RTG committee, said the offer given should not be rejected as it would greatly benefit the athletes involved, especially those who move professionally. Chong Wei expressed that as an ex-athlete, he would have been eager to take up such an opportunity from the National Sports Council and the Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS), highlighting the financial support and additional services provided by the programme.

He emphasized the importance of participation by noting that previously there was at least one athlete who chose not to sign up for the RTG program. Chong Wei’s comments came after a meeting of the Road to Gold (RTG) Committee held at Menara KBS.

The RTG Committee has already named professional men’s singles player Lee Zii Jia, along with Asian Badminton Championships men’s doubles winners Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, and 10 other badminton players for the RTG programme 2025. Chong Wei addressed concerns about the program being utilized as promotional material, stating that the primary aim of the RTG is to enhance athlete performance for the upcoming LA 2028 Olympics. He reassured that athletes joining the program stand to gain significantly from the initiative.