KUALA LUMPUR: National badminton legend Datuk Foo Kok Keong is grateful for being bestowed the Panglima Jasa Negara (PJN) by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, which carries the title “Datuk”.

       The 1990s shuttler said that as a sportsman, he was honoured to receive the federal award in conjunction with the King’s official birthday celebration.

       “I am very happy,” Bernama quoted him as saying after the ceremony at Istana Negara here yesterday.

       The 59-year-old also advised upcoming and aspiring shuttlers to work hard, noting that players from other countries were catching up and standards were improving.

       Foo currently scouts for young talent involving individuals from the B40 group through his participation with the non-governmental organisation Rotary Club of Rahman Putra.

       “So far there are six players, two have been recruited by the Badminton Association of Malaysia, and the talents that I have found and trained are aged 15 or 16,” he said.

       Among Foo’s achievements as a player are gold medals at the Manila SEA Games in 1991 and the Thomas Cup (Kuala Lumpur) in 1992, as well as the bronze at the 1992 Badminton World Cup in Guangzhou, China.