Politics and Badminton Should NOT Mix

It is with great sadness that I read the following article from malaysiakini:

Badminton and politics meet in Gopeng

Lee Chong Wei, Malaysia's number 1 Men's Singles shuttler, campaigned for the Barisan National, a political party in Malaysia for the upcoming General Elections tomorrow. I am a great fan of Lee, and of Badminton, and anyone who knows me can testify to this. However, I have to say that I am deeply offended and disappointed by Lee's decision to involve politics in this wonderful sport. His integrity and by association, the integrity of the sport has been tainted and stained by this selfish act.

Shuttlers win titles and medals for the country, for the glory of the people. It is the taxpayer's money that Lee uses to help in his training and development. To use his glory and fame, which he owes to the people of Malaysia, to campaign for a particular political party is a highly and deeply offensive to the people of Malaysia. You are a representative of Malaysia, and I equally condemn the caretaker government's misuse of Malaysian public resources. The caretaker government has blatantly misused Lee's glory, which he owes to the taxpayers, for political and selfish means.

Lee Chong Wei, I will always support you, and I wish you all the best in the ongoing All England Championships. However, I must say that your action, whether intentional or not, has caused great disappointment to me, and I am sure that the people of Malaysia will agree with me. You have stained the sport, and have demonstrated that you are nothing but a puppet to the whims and calls of the caretaker government. This will always be a dark page in Malaysian Badminton. By doing so, you have condoned and taken part of the misuse of public resources by the caretaker, and I emphasize, caretaker government.

Lee Chong Wei, I am so very disappointed in you.

All England results here