KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – 23 August 2024 – The Haier Cup 2024 wrapped up in thrilling fashion, crowning seven new champions after four months of intense competition. This year’s tournament saw the participation of 1,000 Malaysians across four states—Kuching, Johor, Penang, and Kuala Lumpur.
The competition, which was open to Malaysians aged 18 and above, began with the State Challenge stage. Over four months, players competed fiercely in their respective states, with the top champions and runners-up advancing to the Grand Finals held in Kuala Lumpur on 17 August 2024.
Participants competed in four categories: men’s singles, men’s doubles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles. Winners and runners-up were rewarded with medals, appliances, merchandise, and cash prizes.
For the first time, the tournament also featured a regional competition. Malaysian champions faced off against their counterparts from Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam in a special regional tournament hosted in Kuala Lumpur. The Malaysian representatives emerged victorious, securing the overall championship after a thrilling final against Vietnam.
A special highlight of the tournament was the appearance of Malaysian badminton stars Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik, who recently earned double Olympic bronze medals at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Although they couldn’t attend the Grand Finals, the athletes made a special appearance at the regional competition on 18 August 2024, signing autographs and posing for photos with fans.
Julian Thean, Haier Malaysia’s Brand Marketing Assistant Director, emphasized the importance of badminton as a source of national pride, especially following Malaysia’s success at the Olympics. He expressed his satisfaction with the positive reception of the tournament and congratulated all the winners.
“Badminton and sports, in general, promote healthier lifestyles and foster a sense of community,” said Thean. “These are values that align with Haier’s mission of creating better lives for our users. I am pleased to see the enthusiasm with which Malaysians participated in this competition.”
The Haier Cup 2024 marked a significant evolution from its inaugural edition, not only celebrating athletic excellence but also strengthening ties between neighboring countries through the shared love of badminton.
