VICTOR Hong Kong Open is having a series of autograph sessions at the Coliseum podium for the fans to meet their heroes and heroines. Among the star players, Lee Zii Jia of Malaysia and Tai Tzu Ying of Chinese Taipei attended the session on Friday, attracting over 100 fans to take photos and seek autographs. The two popular stars had some close encounters with the fans and also updated them their latest development.
Fans have reached the venue some 30 minutes before the session started. Some of the fans who could not secure a ticket for the session, waited outside to have a glimpse of these badminton icons. Tai and Lee took selfies with the fans shortly after their arrival and the fans also brought team jersey, racket bags, back bags and other supportive materials for their idiots to sign. Tai showed her nice attitude towards the fans, using a heart gesture to take photos with the fans. She withdrew from her first round match because of injuries but Tai assured the fans it was only some minor problems.
Ms Tsang and Ms Ng, who came early in order to stay in front of the queue, said they wanted to show their support to Tai by their action. Mr Tsang has become a fan of Tai since she witnessed the Chinese Taipei player beat Carolina Marin and Sindhu to capture the 2016 Hong Kong Open title. She later met other Tai’s fans such as Ms Ng and began their journey of ‘chasing star’. They have also joined together to go overseas to watch Tai play. Although both met Tai before, they still felt excited when taking photos with their idol at the session. “It just meeting my first lover!”
Mr Yuen, a student, came to the Coliseum after school for the session and bought a jersey for Lee Zii Jia’s autograph. A member of his school badminton team, Yuen said he started to follow Lee’s news in recent years. He admired Lee’s attacking style and skills and hopefully he can learn from the Malaysian star player and play in a higher level.
Since the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Hong Kong people have paid a lot more attention to the city’s athletes, including those badminton stars. Of the shuttlers, Tokyo Olympian Angus Ng Ka-long, Hangzhou Asian Games squad member Yeung Nga Ting, along with 2021 World Champion Loh Kean Yew of Singapore, took part in a brand promotional activity at the Coliseum podium where they also conducted outdoor badminton demonstrations and had some badminton games with the guests.
Ng welcomed all the fans for taking photos together. Playing in the first Hong Kong Open after the 2020 Tokyo Games, Ng said there was a very good atmosphere at the Coliseum than before. “The fans show stronger support this time and I have no idea if this has something to do with the post Tokyo Olympics feat or the popularity of badminton in Hong Kong has increased. As a Hong Kong player, we always hear the loud cheering from the home fans and the atmosphere is just fantastic. Although we won’t be able to play at the home ground in the Asian Games, we will still give our best and deliver our best.”
