A 36-year-old Malaysian fan, Yap Ken Vun, hailing from Tenom, Sabah, has made headlines with his dedication to supporting the national badminton team.
According to Harian Metro, he meticulously saved RM12,000 over three years to fulfill his dream of attending the Paris Olympics and cheering for Malaysia’s badminton athletes in person.
Known for his passionate support, Yap is often spotted in the stands wearing traditional Kadazan attire, proudly waving the Malaysian flag whenever the national team competes.
Paid around RM12,000 to fulfill his dream
His fervent cheers and visible emotions have made him a notable figure among the audience.
Speaking to the Malay daily, Yap shared that his journey to the Paris Olympics wasn’t without challenges.
Initially, he planned to attend the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, but the event’s postponement due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent restrictions left him disappointed.
Undeterred, he shifted his focus to Paris, setting up a dedicated savings account to accumulate the necessary funds.
His trip to Paris included RM6,900 for badminton event tickets, RM3,200 for a round-trip flight from Kuala Lumpur to Paris, and approximately RM1,800 for a week’s accommodation.
After Malaysia’s badminton team advanced to the semi-finals, Yap spent an additional RM2,000 to secure tickets for the men’s doubles, women’s doubles, and men’s singles matches, determined to be there for every crucial moment.
Witnessed Malaysia secure two bronze medals
Yap’s commitment extended beyond just financial sacrifices.
He mentioned how he diligently saved a fixed amount each month, resisting the urge to dip into his “Olympic trip” fund even during emergencies.
His perseverance paid off as he witnessed Malaysia secure two bronze medals in badminton.
As a long-time supporter of Malaysia’s top men’s doubles pair, Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik, Yap described the overwhelming emotions he felt watching them clinch a medal.
Despite wanting to attend more events, he acknowledged the high costs and chose to focus on badminton, while also attending a historic 100m sprint featuring Malaysia’s sprinter, Muhammad Azeem.
