Former national women’s singles player Soniia Cheah has been appointed as the first sports director of the Kuala Lumpur Badminton Association (KLBA), marking a new chapter in the organisation’s leadership and development efforts.
The position was newly created by the KLBA to enhance the association’s sporting programmes and support its broader vision for growth. Soniia’s appointment was confirmed by KLBA president Datuk Seri Dr Jahaberdeen Mohd Yunoos, who expressed confidence in her ability to contribute meaningfully to the association.
“Soniia brings strong motivation and valuable experience to this role,” Jahaberdeen said. He highlighted her potential not only to help improve the performance of young players but also to strengthen the association’s overall sports management.
The KLBA president noted that the decision to appoint Soniia reflects a strategic focus on people development, emphasising opportunities for former players to bring fresh perspectives to badminton administration. Jahaberdeen said the association aims to support growth not just for players but also future coaches and sports leaders.
As sports director, Soniia will be responsible for a range of duties including monitoring players and clubs, improving organisational processes, collecting performance data and exploring potential international collaborations. These efforts are expected to align with the KLBA’s long-term plans such as organising more tournaments and expanding its development programmes.
Soniia enjoyed a successful playing career, rising to a career‑high world ranking of No. 23 in women’s singles and representing Malaysia at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. She retired from professional competition in 2022 after persistent foot injuries but remained connected to the sport.
Her appointment has been welcomed as a positive step for Malaysian badminton, particularly in nurturing new talent and building stronger support systems off the court.
