KUALA LUMPUR (18 December 2018): With another exciting SS Purple League season just days away, the media and fans will get the chance to acquaint themselves with all the players ready to carry the challenge of their respective teams in a special press conference in Quill City Mall today.Besides the media conference with the SSPL 2018/19 teams, there will also be an announcement of the launch of Aforadio.com as the official online radio partner for Malaysia Purple League.

Aforadio.com will ignite the fans’ passion for SSPL by bringing the latest info of the games through online radio.

If last season is anything to go by, this latest installment of the SS Purple League promises even more excitement and thrills as the world’s top shuttlers converge on Gem in Mall, Cyberjaya starting this Friday.

And they don’t come any bigger than Japan’s Kento Momota, the world champion and World No 1 who will be turning out for Ampang Jaya Badminton Club (BC).

The SS Purple League is not only the players’ tournament of choice but it’s where champions are made. This is what the SS Purple League, Malaysia’s premier club badminton league, is all about.

Since its inception in 2014, the SS Purple League has the envious reputation of developing young talent and providing the right platform for emerging stars to gain invaluable experience doing battle against the world’s best in a remarkable tournament.

Chief Executive Officer and founder, Dato’ Jack Koh said that it would be a homecoming of sorts for Momota who used his wide experience gained by playing in the Purple League to hone his craft and become the world’s top player.

“Rising stars get the chance to play with the top 32 players in the world. Kento Momota, when he first signed to play in the Purple League, was ranked outside the top 100.

“He gained experienced playing with top stars like Lee Chong Wei, something he can never get in any other tournament due to ranking issues,” said Jack recently.

“I think the most important thing is the platform, what we the organisers of the Purple League are able to provide.

“We have created this event and elevated it to a higher standard thus being able to attract the best players from around the world.”

Besides Momota, the players who will be in the colours of Ampang Jaya BC are Bryce Leverdez (France), Chan Peng Soon, Lee Zii Jia, Goh Jin Wei, Shevon Lai Jemie (all Malaysia).

Ampang Jaya BC, however won’t have it all their way as defending champions Puchong United Badminton Club (BC), led by Liew Daren, will want to prove they still are a force to be reckoned with.

Besides Daren, Puchong United with also have mixed doubles specialist, Tan Kian Meng, independent doubles player Tan Boon Heong and foreign imports, Deng Xuan (China), Yoo Yeonseong, Hong Jihoon (both Korea), Lee Cheuk Yiu, Tan Chung Man, Ng Tsz Yau (all Hong Kong).

“It’s always tougher to defend the title than winning it. We can see that other teams are well prepared for the fight with their exceptional players but for Puchong United BC, we have no fear. As always we are ready to fight till the very end,” said their manager Irina Inozemtseva.

“Therefore, with the likes of Goh Liu Ying, Liew Daren, Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi and many other formidable players in the team, we believe that with the right strategy we will be able to continue our good performance and cement our place in history.”

Puchong United BC will be aiming to become the first team since Muar City Badminton Club (BC) in 2015-16 to clinch back-to-back championship titles. Since the league began in 2014-15, they have also been runners-up in 2016-17 when Petaling Jaya Badminton Club (BC) took the title.

The other teams will also have their own sprinkling of stars and among them are national player Lee Ying Ying; Indonesia’s Rusydina Antardayu and Thai stalwart, Boonsak Ponsana who will all be turning out for Terbrau City BC.

Up-and-coming Leong Jun Hao (Serdang BC), Goh V Shem, Iskandar Zulkarnain, Gronya Somerville (Petaling BC), Dey Subhankar, Lu Ching Yao, Yang Po Han (Kepong BC), Lee Meng Yean (Bandar Maharani BC) will also bring some much needed firepower to their respective teams.

The SS Purple League 2019 features local and international players including Olympic medallists, world champions, former big names and rising stars on the international stage.

Teams will be competing in three stages in a single round robin format and play-off format for the coveted SS Purple League trophy. Total prize money for this season is RM1,500,000.

The SS Purple League 2019 will run from December 2018 to January 2019 beginning with Stage 1 on 21-24 Dec, 26-30 Dec and 2-6 Jan 2019 to be held at Gem in Mall, Cyberjaya. Stage 2 will be played on 11-13 Jan 2019, also at Gem in Mall, Cyberjaya. The final round will be held on 24-27 Jan 2019 at the Arena of Stars, Resorts World Genting.

Tickets can be purchased through the official website https://www.purpleleague.com/ at RM15 for adults and RM9 for children below 12 years. Season passes for matches in KL only are priced at RM199.

About Malaysia Purple League

Founded in 2013, Malaysia Purple League is a competition platform in support of the Malaysian badminton effort by helping to develop and polish the skills of Malaysian badminton players to raise the level of competitive badminton in Malaysia. The league is an initiative that provides players of all levels, both professionals and amateurs, with an opportunity to gain invaluable competition experience, and concurrently strives to engage retired national greats to guide and inspire a new generation of champions. For more information, visit Malaysia Purple League website at http://www.purpleleague.com/