The Game that Unite a Nation

August 5th 2012, will be always be remembered in the hearts of all the Malaysians. Those who love badminton will remember the date till they die and those who never liked nor watched badminton must surely fall in love to the game. It is the day that Dato' Lee Chong Wei had fought with all his life knowing the burden of the whole country is upon.

Dato' Lee Chong Wei knows that he is the carrying the hope of the nation to see Malaysia win their first ever gold medal. Not once since this Olympic was established nearly a century ago have Malaysia won a gold medal. Never had the proud song of the nation "NEGARAKU" being heard and played in the Olympics. The closest Malaysia had ever come  in reaching gold is in Beijing 4 years ago and by the same person Dato' Lee Chong Wei as well as in 1992 also in badminton.

With the burden that he has to carry, he played the game beautifully. He is just back from a nasty injury that kept him out for about 3months and only have 2 weeks to train. Yet, he utilized those 2weeks and train his best. The word "tired and exhaustion" never come to his mind. He is focus in his mission,  to get the GOLD. Dato' Lee Chong Wei fought hard with all he can. His rival? Non other than the great Lin Dan or Super Dan they called them, the same man that beat him at the same stage in Beijing, 4 years ago. The rivalry of these 2 champions is not a stranger to the badminton fans around the world. Thousands of badminton players certified as professional by the Badminton World Federation (BWF), but none can beat this two champions as they are at a class of their own.

It is the Tiger vs the Dragon. Both played with perfection and cautiously. The first set goes to Dato' Lee Chong Wei, 21-15. The second goes to Super Dan 21-11. Then the third stage is set up. The game was full with emotion, anxiety and excitement. Finally the game was tied at 19-19. Yet at the end of the day, Super Dan managed to win it 21-19. It broke the heart of all Malaysian. Tears can be seen all around the country and the face and emotion shown by Dato' Lee Chong Wei says it all. He knows, he might had just lost his one last opportunity in grabbing the gold. All hopes are lost.

He might have lost the gold but he had won a bigger prize, the heart of the nation. Dato' Lee Chong Wei had managed to bring back the spirit of Malaysia putting aside religion, belief and race differences aside, all eyes were on Dato' Lee Chong Wei cheering for him until the very end. The country that had in recent times fall into chaos with "fools" fighting for money and power, the country is once again united. In a country where time move so fast, he stopped it. A country that is losing hope, he gave them light. A country that is falling behind, he pushed it forward.

 By my observation, even until today people are giving strength and encouragement to Datuk Lee Chong Wei. I believe that Datuk Lee Chong Wei had managed to unite the country better than what '1 MALAYSIA' could ever do. Congratulations Datuk. You may not win the gold, but you have managed to win our heart, a true Malaysian Hero.

CONGRATULATIONS!