JOHOR is moving a step closer towards establishing its own high-performance badminton academy. State youth, sports, entrepreneur development and cooperatives committee chairman Mohd Hairi Mad Shah said he held a discussion with national badminton legend Datuk Seri Lee Chong Wei in Kuala Lumpur. Under the proposal, the state government plans to establish the Johor-Lee Chong Wei Badminton Academy as a strategic initiative to strengthen badminton development in Johor. “The academy will align with the state’s Johor Sports Nation 2030 aspiration, which seeks to position Johor as a leading sporting state in the country,” he added. “The initiative reflects Johor’s broader commitment to strengthening youth development through sports and creating structured pathways for aspiring athletes,” said Hairi.

Source: The Star March 21, 2026 11:35 UTC