KOTA KINABALU, Aug 19 ― They may be scattered around the globe but the family of Tan Wee Kiong is united in their cheers and prayers for the national shuttler who will be fighting to bag Malaysia’s first Olympic gold at the Rio Games tonight.
Together with his partner Goh V Shem, Wee Kiong will be taking on China’s Fu Haifeng and Zhang Nan for the badminton men’s doubles final, due to start any minute now.
The Tans’ father is in Rio de Janeiro to support Wee Kiong at the venue, but the rest of the family is scattered all over Malaysia. Wee Kiong’s brother Tan Wee Tat, mother Tan Yok Hua and sister Tan Yun Ying have parked themselves in front of the TV in their Tawau, Sabah home with some friends; their youngest brother Tan Wee Gieen is in the clan home state of Johor with their other relatives.
"It’s just our small family here. My house isn't very big so we are not having a huge viewing party.
"But in my hometown Johor, my uncle is hosting a big party with our extended family and friends and the whole kampung will be supporting him," Wee Tat told Malay Mail Online just before the game.
"It's a bit of a shame that we cannot watch it with a big crowd and the family but watching it with my mom and sis is very good too," he said.
About 30 people, including members of the media have gathered at the Tan's family home in Tawau, where the family moved to in 2000 to get into the oil palm industry.
Wee Tat, a badminton coach for the family's Tawau Badminton Academy, said that the family was trying to manage their emotions and not get over excited.
"We are still okay, but of course a bit nervous," said Wee Tat, adding that while he hoped their brother could bring back Malaysia's first Olympic gold medal, he already felt proud of his big brother for just getting to the finals.
