GEORGE TOWN, Sept 1 — Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin, 25, will be Malaysia’s next shuttler to shine on the world court, Olympic silver medalist Datuk Lee Chong Wei believes.

The 33-year-old Malaysian badminton ace who is retiring from competitive games said the Kuala Lumpur native, currently ranked 26th in the world, has the ability to rise to the top.

“I feel now, Iskandar is the next upcoming talented player in men’s singles but it will also depend on his performance,” Lee told reporters here when asked his views on the next generation of top shuttlers who can fill his spot after his retirement.

“I will do all I can to encourage and share my experiences with young and talented Malaysian athletes, not only badminton players, to perform well in their chosen field,” he added.

Lee demurred when asked if he might again try for the elusive gold in the next Olympic Games in Tokyo in 2020, saying he is currently working on more immediate goals, namely next year’s Badminton World Championships.

“All three of us will have to focus first on the next tournament, which is the Japan Open on September 18 and we will need to focus on the world championships next year,” he said, referring to mixed doubles team, Chan Peng Soon and Goh Liu Ying, who were also present at the press conference.

Lee along with Chan and Goh were presented with cash incentives by the Penang government for their exemplary performances in the recently concluded Rio Olympics.

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng earlier presented RM150,000 to Lee, RM100,000 to Chan and RM25,000 to Goh.

Lee thanked the state for the cash incentive, saying this will further encourage them to perform well in the next tournaments and world championships.

“I will also be working with the Penang state government to promote sports, not only in badminton, among the young for a healthier lifestyle,” he said.

When asked about their next plans after this, both Chan and Goh also echoed Lee’s sentiments, that they will be focusing on Japan Open after this and on performing well next year.

“I feel that when in Rio, it was not my best game and I’ve learnt valuable lessons from it that I will apply in my next games, especially on Indonesia’s strategy,” Goh said.

Chan and Goh won silver in the mixed doubles game at the recently-ended Olympics Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.