KUALA LUMPUR – Tickets for the Malaysia Open, scheduled on January 7 to 12, are selling like hot cakes despite uncertainty surrounding men’s singles star Lee Zii Jia’s participation.
Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) president Datuk V. Subramaniam revealed that tickets for the semi-finals and final on January 11 and 12 are almost sold out.
“Sales have been encouraging. Semi-final and final tickets are nearly sold out, with quarter-final tickets also going hot,” he said.
While early-round sales remain slower due to workday scheduling, the event boasts strong global participation, with 256 players from 21 countries confirmed.
Top contenders include two-time Olympic champion Viktor Axelsen of Denmark and current world number one Shi Yuqi, who was recently crowned champion at the World Tour Finals in Hangzhou.
Zii Jia’s appearance remains uncertain after the 2024 Paris Olympics bronze medallist sustained a ligament injury during the World Tour Finals.
His team has yet to confirm if he will compete in the season-opening Super 1000 event.
Subramaniam added, “The last day for withdrawals is later this month, so we’ll know when the updated list is out.”
With Birmingham Commonwealth Games silver medallist Ng Tze Yong also recovering from a serious lower back injury, Malaysia’s men’s singles hopes will rest on former Asian junior champion Leong Jun Hao. — December 19, 2024