KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 14 — Lee Chong Wei feels the outpouring support from the corporate sector towards Olympians who won medals at last month’s Rio Games will spur youths to take up sports as a profession.

The feats of Tan Wee Kiong-Goh V Shem in the men’s doubles, Goh Liu Ying-Chan Peng Soon in the mixed doubles and Chong Wei in the men’s singles united the nation.

"In the past, people said there was no point being a sportsman as you can’t earn a decent living,” said Chong Wei.

"Things have changed. State governments are doing their part. The National Sports Council and Sports Ministry are doing their part and because we have been improving our medal tally, the corporate sector have taken notice and are willing to help.”

To show their appreciation, 100Plus rewarded the silver medallists (who are all brand ambassadors) with RM50,000 for each medal won in Rio and a lifetime supply of their isotonic products.

Chong Wei, who turns 34 on Oct 21 has set his sights on playing for another year as he chases a World Championships crown.

Separately, V Shem said the proposed change of scoring by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) will not affect him.

BWF are considering changing the scoring system to 11 points and best-of-seven games instead of the current 21 points best of three.

"It’s not a problem as we use this system in the Purple League (Malaysia’s only professional league). We have to get used to it if it happens,” said V Shem, at the appreciation ceremony by BA of Malaysia’s main sponsors Celcom Axiata yesterday.

"Even though Rio just ended, we have been training full swing. Having won silver, my partner (Wee Kiong) and I are more confident.

"We may have a target on our backs but that does not worry us when we play in next week’s Japan Open.”

The Japan Open is from Sept 20 to 25 and would be followed by the Korea Open from Sept 27 to Oct 2.

Celcom Axiata have been with BAM since March and they rewarded not only the Olympic medallists but all players who represented Malaysia in Rio.

Chong Wei, V Shem, Wee Kiong, Peng Soon and Liu Ying received RM30,000 (RM20,000 cash and RM10,000 Celcom credit) while Tee Jing Yi, Vivian Hoo and Woon Khe Wei received RM20,000 (RM10,000 cash and RM10,000 Celcom credit).

Celcom’s sponsorship for BAM is until 2019 at RM8 million per annum but they would spend an additional RM10 million to promote the game through digital and social media platforms.