News March 2015: Steven Ma in Laos badminton friendly match

Steven Ma, a badminton buff, has been a member of Hong Kong Li Ning Badminton Club for ten years now. He is the only celebrity in the said club of national athletes. In the past, the Club had encouraged Steven to participate in the World Chinese Badminton Federation (WCBF 全球華人杯) Celebrity Tournaments that Loletta Chu, Sally Yeh and Chiu Tsang Hei have participated before, but Steven declined because he did not want to compromise his opponents' game.

Earlier, the Laos National Sports Council invited the Club over for a friendly match against its Laos national badminton team and its military youth corps. Steven Ma participated in the match too. He said his trip to Laos was a real eye-opener for him.

Steven said: "My team and I arrived at Thailand on March 3rd; we entered Laos on March 4th. This was a friendly match, and my team thought I should participate to gain experience. I complied with the club's arrangements for me on this trip. I played four men's doubles and won three of them. In one of the matches, my partner was the former national badminton team player, Chu Fung. For the other two games, my partners are also professional badminton players. I was the only amateur there. With these wins, I can say I did my part for the club."  He said win or lose either way is secondary, what is important is to enjoy the process.

As to his stay in Laos, Steven said: "Laos has its own culture and language. Its currency denomination is huge. A canned drink can cost up to 5000 Lao Kip (62 cts in US$). At this one convenient store, my teammates and I paid about 1 million Lao Kip for some towels and drinks. Holding the Lao Kip money in my hand, I felt flush with cash."

When asked if he was concerned about security issues prior to visiting Laos, Steven admitted he was indeed a bit worried as he had never been there before. His worries were allayed by the warm welcome given to them upon their arrival there.  "A police escort cleared the road for us. We stayed in the newest hotel. This trip was indeed a memorable life experience. The houses in Laos are mainly single story and the people live a simple lifestyle.  Though still a developing country, Laos shows great potentials for future development. Laos national badminton team members are all very young, though their skills are still inferior to the China team's, given time they will improve greatly."

Steven did not feel he missed out on spending the Lantern Festival in Laos, instead he felt he had gained much from the trip. He hopes he will have more opportunities to participate in HK Li Ning Badminton Club exchanges abroad so that his eyes continue to be opened and his horizon broadens.

sources: takungpao; on.cc news;
pix: sm official fan page -fb; sm studio weibo; all-about-steven-ma weibo

News 2014 Nov Steven believes Lee Chong Wei's doping to be accidental

Steven's weibo message to Lee 11月9日 23:48
"Lee Chong Wei, I want to tell you this. I've watched your past matches with Lin Dan, truth be told, I rooted for my national shuttler, Lin Dan, to win, and he did not disappoint. Your losses notwithstanding, in my eye and that of many badminton fans, you too are also an exceptional professional shuttler, and likewise admired by many. I absolutely believe that in this doping incident you took the drug by mistake. I absolutely believe in your professionalism and your sportsmanship spirit.  I hope you will face this matter bravely, and take each step forward with positiveness and vigor. I look forward to seeing you again on the ball court. Lee Chong Wei, add oil!"

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相信禁药纯属误服　港星声援盼勇敢面对
----news---

2014 HK Badminton's First Rally Song

HK August 18 2014:  Hong Kong debuted its first badminton pep rally song《勝在一­念》at the launching ceremony of the "2014-2017 Bank of China (BOC) Hong Kong Badminton Development and Training Programme" cum the "2014 BOC Hong Kong Badminton Championship finals and awards presentation" held at Queen Elizabeth Stadium. The song is composed and produced by Chiu Tsang Hei (趙增熹), written by Chris Shum (岑偉宗) and sung by Steven Ma to rally the spirit of their Hong Kong athletes for "victory is but a conviction away". 《勝在一­念》

At the ceremony the badminton committee also appointed a new batch of professional public figures with a healthy image as the ambassadors for HK badminton including:  Chiu Tsang Hei, Steven Ma, 郭偉亮 and 林曉峰 as well as some HK badminton team members including: 葉姵延、周凱華、伍家朗 and 李晉熙.  To start off the championships the ambassadors immediately played doubles against each other in a exhibition game to promote the fun of playing badminton.

Note: Steven has been HK Badminton ambassador for the longest time, can't remember when.

source

circles: badminton friends

Steven's circle of friends include his badminton friends; some are national players, others like him are just amatuer badminton enthusiasts.  

weibo 4/9/2013 -

badminton with Tsui Rong Rong 4月9日 17:23

Steven looks so 'young' and thin.

News Yue Yue SM as 2013 Badiminton ambassador

粤夜粤娱乐 2013-02-06
马浚伟打球动静皆宜

Steven Ma-avid badminton fan

Apparently Steven spent last week watching badminton matches YONEX-SUNRISE Hong Kong Open 2012 11/20/2012 to 11/25/2012

Yu Yang (China's 2008 badminton women's doubles champion, later disqualified in 2012 Olympics.) did not let her defeat in today's women's doubles final dampened her spirit. Upon receiving the official bouquet presented to her, she immediately threw the bouquet to artist, Steven Ma, sitting in the VIP stand to thank him for being there everyday with his camera to show support.

credit pix as labeled

Working out to offset the previous latenight meal.

Last night had a meal of late night supper, tonight engaging in a fierce battle to offset its effect, will not become a pig. Haha!   


TN: Steven's response to numerous fans' admonition over late night eating that may or may not cause indigestion and weight gain when he posted his earlier weibo about having a late night snack/supper. The fans' admonition sound like what naggy mothers would say to their 'son'.  And that made me think of Steven's plea in his essay: "Women, let me be bah!"  Here's Steven sharing some info on weibo and there fans admonishing him, though done out of concern. But haiz! Steven's a grown man, ma. Who knows that supper may be his 2nd meal of the day.  

related vid: link

Steven to participate in a badminton tournament

The news report below reveals the reason why Steven mysterious appeared in Nanjing. Bet he was enroute to Changchun to participate in the reported badminton tournament.

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Global Chinese Badminton Tournament include celebrities: Gao Ling and Steven Ma.
This coming Sunday, September 2nd, the 19th Red Bull Global Chinese Badminton Tournament will be held in Changchun Wuhuan Gymnasium.  This year event attracted 1536 participants, among them Gao Ling, a retired Olympics gold medalist champion. 

Apparently, this tournament was jointly initiated in 1993 by a group of cross-strait badminton enthusiasts sharing a common interest and wanting to compete in a traditional international badminton tournament.  Its mission statement is "Make friends through sports, learn through playing with opponents, improve health through physical fitness, unite Chinese people".  “以球会友，切磋球艺，强身健体，团结华人”.  Since its inception, the highest number of participants ever registered has reached 3000.  The participants came from all over the world including overseas badminton clubs from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Brunei, Korea as well as Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, and from all walks of life including celebrities, retired badminton instructors, and former athletes and former world champions, making this tournament a very high profile event attracting much interest from the public. 

The tournament is divided into categories: by age, by singles, doubles, mixed doubles, married couples, etc.  Furthermore, the requirements for registration are pretty low, so long the participants are badminton enthusiasts and 25 years and above they can register.
 
Among the 1500 over participants for tomorrow's event is the champion of 2000 and 2004 Olympics mixed doubles, Gao Ling (高崚). Representing Hong Kong Li Ning Badminton Club, her events are mixed doubles, and women's doubles. Former members of national teams including Li Han Nan, Li Hao Nan,  Xie Xin, and Chen Zhiben, also registered. 

Besides them, Hong Kong TVB well known siu sang, Steven Ma, also representing  Hong Kong Li Ning Badminton Club, has registered, too.  Apparently, Steven Ma is an avid badminton buff and he is also well acquainted with the national badminton team members.  After the London Olympics, as the badminton ambassadorial host in Hong Kong, Steven even entertained Lin Dan and the mixed doubles duo during their recent goodwill visit in Hong Kong. 

This time Steven will also get into the badminton competitive fray. Undoubtedly, with more celebrity participation in the tournament, it will receive more attention and interest from the public. 

source: Changchun Daily 8/30/2012 (excerpt)
credit:  Steven-Ma.org

TN: Guess Steven will partner Gao Ling in the mixed doubles match.  Good for him, and good luck!

 8/16  21:42  P.S. Had on one of the new jerseys belonging to the club I belong. Nice or not? 

Club = the  same badminton club as Gao Ling's, Hong Kong Lin Ning Badminton Club

Steven with manager, Sandy Lau.

Steven in his role as part time instructor

episode 3 in Daddy Good Deeds

Concedes Defeat to Olympics Gold Medalists, Steven Ma Happy to Break Zero.

source: wenweipo 8/26/2012

稱臣金牌羽球手拍下 馬浚偉破蛋笑開懷
Concedes Defeat to Olympics Gold Medalists, Steven Ma Happy to Break Zero.

The 2012 Olympics Chinese gold medalist delegation is in Hong Kong for a 3-day goodwill visit from August 24th thru August 26th. Yesterday (8/25) the badminton and the table tennis gold medalists did an exhibition show in the Queen Elizabeth Stadium in Wanchai. Steven Ma (Ma Jai), a badminton enthusiast who is also Hong Kong Badminton Ambassador, partnered with Hong Kong badminton player, 'Hak Miu' (Yip Pui-Yin) played against the gold medal badminton duo, Zhang Nan and Zhao Yunlei, in a mixed doubles friendly match. But the resounding cheers in the stadium for Steven were no less than those for the gold medalists, even the MCs incessantly cheered him on. Steven expensing all effort in kill shots finally broke zero, in the end he and Yip Pui Yin lost to the other team 2 to 7.

news 2012- SM as badminton ambassador in friendly match

HONG KONG: China's Olympic gold medallists are in Hong Kong for a three-day goodwill visit. A 70-strong delegation of Chinese athletes, including Olympic gold-medal winners from London, got a warm welcome from the people of Hong Kong on Friday. The delegation's itinerary includes public demonstrations in badminton, table tennis, diving as well as a gala event on Saturday.  During their visit, the athletes will also participate in various sports demonstrations and a variety show.

Loudly cheered on by the crowd, Steven Ma broke zero scoring, finally losing to opponents 2-7.

Guess Steven was in cloud nine that day

a fan work.

Steven Ma in badminton mixed doubles friendly match

vid source: steven ma weibo

source: youku

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So after last night dinner with China Olympics badminton players, early this morning 8/25/2012 Steven played in a friendly badminton mixed doubles match with China national badminton 马浚伟 叶姵延对张楠 赵芸蕾

news feature on SM's mixed doubles

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below 2 vid source: isdgovhk @ youtube

 Cantonese news

English news report

Gold medallists’ talent on show August 25, 2012
news source: news.gov.hk

Gold medallists’ talent on show August 25, 2012 The enthusiasm for the Olympic Games was rekindled in Hong Kong when Mainland athletes who won gold medals at the London 2012 Olympic Games staged demonstrations in badminton, table tennis and diving this morning.

The badminton and table tennis champions gave demonstrations at Queen Elizabeth Stadium while the diving champions performed at Kowloon Park Swimming Pool.

Another group of athletes joined an exchange session with youth uniformed groups and demonstrated their gymnastics talent at Siu Sai Wan Sports Centre.

Chief Secretary Carrie Lam and Chinese Olympic Committee President Liu Peng attended the badminton and table tennis demonstrations, in which the gold medallists had friendly matches with Hong Kong athletes. Hong Kong badminton player Wong Wing-ki beat men’s singles badminton gold medallist Lin Dan by 7 to 6.

Some spectators were selected by drawing lots and granted a rare chance to participate in the sports-for-fun sessions.

Mixed Doubles badminton gold medallists Zhang Nan and Zhao Yunlei had a friendly game with Hong Kong badminton player Yip Pui-yin and artiste Steven Ma.

In an entertaining exchange, badminton champion Lin Dan played table tennis with men’s singles table tennis gold medallist Zhang Jike - who used a badminton racket.

All sports demonstrations featured lucky draws for prizes that included badminton and table tennis rackets autographed by members of the national teams.

Steven with his badminton heroes

 Lin Dan with his wife, and China Olympics badminton double. 林丹，谢杏芳, 傅海峰, 蔡斌又
Steven in cloud nine last night as he uploaded the pix. Meeting them the next day probably for a game or two.

Steven Ma Uses Bug Zapper as Badminton Racket

8/8/2012 Steven Ma has always loved sports, especially badminton. His enthusiasm for badminton is so 'feverish' that he would not forgo any available spare time playing badminton even when at Hengdian shooting a series. (May-July). In between shooting scenes, he would use this free time to practice badminton strokes with an electric bugs zapper. With the bugs zapper in his hand, he had a game going, now 'killing the shuttlecock', now 'backhanding the shuttlecock', thoroughly enjoying his badminton fix. What's so amusing is that his immersion in his pretend game was so total, it incurred other workers' snickers at seeing him so, but ignoring all, Steven continued to do his own thing.

When showed this set of photos as proof, Steven did not mind at all, and even admitted his guilt with a smile: "People who know me know that I like to play badminton. Whenever I've free time I'll drag my friends to play badminton with me. During the time in Hengdian, the days had turned hot and humid so lots of mosquitoes and flies so I would bring the bugs zapper everywhere with me. Besides using it to zap the bugs, in between shooting scenes, I could use it to mimic badminton strokes and moves. People thought I had gone mad. Actually, waiting to shoot my scene, I was just looking for some self-entertainment; this is what is called "using a product to the max."

When the talk turns to Olympics, Steven was full of enthusiasm: "Besides studying the script, and preparing the September new series, I also watch my most beloved badminton games. I didn't even have time to sleep. Need to support both national and Hong Kong teams ma. Women's doubles took the gold, women's singles both gold and silver, men's singles, Lin Dan, took the gold. And also there are the women's volleyball, and table tennis to watch. But watching the Olympics games makes my "hands itched", so when have the time I'll immediately called up friends to play badminton".

As a badminton buff, he is naturally attentive to badminton news, among them is the disqualification of the Chinese women's doubles team of Wang Xiao Li and Yu Yang from Olympics. Steven feels that is very unfortunate: "I know these two athletes. We are friends. In spirit, I still support them, and hope that they will not quit badminton, but will continue to play and get even better results in the future. Actually, through the years I've gotten know many mainland and Hong Kong athletes and know that they work really hard, and that they have expended much blood, sweat, tears and physical efforts and spirit into their sports. That's why all along I always respect and love them, and hope that every one of them, regardless medaling or not, so long he/she has done his/her best, that's enough. Frankly, having watched Olympics all these years, regardless the Olympians medaled or not, in my heart, they are all awesome. But what I want to emphasize most is this: medaling or not is not important because what they have given out (tn: of themselves and to their sport) is already the biggest harvest."

Those who have played badminton with Steven know that his techniques are not bad. This reporter heard in September Hong Kong badminton platform has an upcoming big event:

"Chinese Badminton Open competition ma; already sign up. This is my first time participating in an open competition. But don't know if the date will clash with my work schedule or not; hopefully it won't. If schedules clashed then I can't do it. So feeling a bit nervous here. Actually in recent years I've been playing with former Hong Kong national team members and Hong Kong coach(es), and they practise continually with me to help me improve my game. Participating in competition, win or not, not that important; most important is the participation itself, and that the whole competition process can help improve one's progress; that, will give me the most satisfaction."

source: wenweipo; takungpao; tungstar
related material: Steven's weibo support national Olympians

Steven Ma uses electric bug zapper as badminton racket

8/8/2012 Steven Ma is an avid badminton player, even when shooting series in Hengdian he would use his free time to play badminton. And if he could not be in the court playing badminton, he would use the electric bugs zapper as badminton racket to practise badminton moves, swinging his racket here and there, thoroughly enjoying himself.  What's so funny is that so into his game he was doing his own thing, he was oblivious to other workers whispering among themselves at seeing him.

When the talk turns to Olympics, Steven says despite his busy schedule, but he makes time to watch his most beloved badminton games.  He supports both the national and Hong Kong teams.  He sighs and says between his busy daily life and watching the Olympics he does not have much time left over to sleep. And watching the Olympics badminton games gives him this urge to play badminton.

He found out that the Open Chinese Badminton Cup will be held in Hong Kong this September. And that he has already registered his entry. This is his first entering the open badminton competition.  But he is still unsure if there will be a work conflict on that day or not.  He hopes not and so he feels a bit nervous.

Actually, this past year he has been playing badminton with former Hong Kong national badminton team members and  a HK badminton coach.   They have been teaching him how to improve his game. But he expresses that what is most important is to enjoy the process of the competition, win or lose is not important.

source: wenweipo

Steven Ma plays badminton as pastime, declines nightlife.

mingpao ol 3/13/2012
马浚伟打波消遣 谢绝夜蒲

Steven Ma Plays Badminton to Pass Time, Abstains from Nightlife
In Hengdian, besides shooting series,  is the only thing the artistes can do is go to nightclubs, karaoke clubs or other nightlife places to pass their time? And do their nightlife really get more exciting as the night wore on?  This is "Hengdian rookie" Steven Ma's first time shooting a series here. (sic actually it's Steven's 3nd time) After a 4 month long stay here, he has become a 'old horse knowing his way around town'. From his initial trepidation about  fitting in with the mainland artists, and his original plan to roam Hengdian with just his trusty badminton racket for recreation, to in the end set up a team of four to play badminton at the same time keeping fit.  Steven and they practically went to the ball court to play badminton everyday after work. Now parting soon, Steven's feeling  was: "When can I return to Hengdian to once again play badminton with this group of brothers and sisters?"  It can be seen that he truly enjoyed his 4 months stay at Hengdian.

In the past to destress himself, Steven would meet up with friends to vent his grievances on his job. After work, he liked to enjoy "a few drinks" but because he has experienced acting under the influence of liquor, and knowing it is inconsiderate to disturb other people when drunk, plus he now has a new outlet to reduce stress, which is playing badminton and hitting the gym for fitness, Steven has since reduce his drinking. In Hengdian, he abstained from liquor and went the healthy route to pass time

see related material on about loyef posted on AF

Maggie Cheung met up with Steven Ma to play badminton

@youtube by phoebechien0112
The highlight in the video is the cap on Steven's head, the very same hat (clue) on Maggie's weibo. haha!

 

Maggie Cheung, who is in Hengdian shooting the ancient drama, Lady Prime Minister, took advantage of her one day break to meet up with Steven Ma, who is also in Hengdian shooting his series, LOYEF, to play badminton.  Steven brought along with him two other expert badminton players with him to play double.  Steven said: She has the strokes because Maggie plays tennis.

source: HKchannel

weibo badminton with Maggie Cheung

2/18 18:00 Last night Maggie Cheung posted this terse message on her weibo: "Playing badminton", which unexpectedly created much excitement 2244 shipper. (22 (2nd Miss) - Maggie Cheung's nickname among fans, 44 (4th brother) - Steven's nickname among fans)  Many guessed that she must be playing with Steven. So a guessing game began on her weibo as both her fans and Steven fans chatted up a storm there. The items on her photos were clues to whether her partner was Steven or not. I remember seeing a picture of that cap posted on Steven weibo.And sure enough there it was on Dingdong's head. lol! And another Steven fan pointed out that red badminton looks like the one Steven carried with him when they visited him in Hengdian. Another sharp eyed Steven fan pointed that coke bottle, Steven's favorite drink. lol.

And tada, sure enough it was indeed Steven that Maggie played badminton with yesterday. And that back shot was of Steven. Some weiboan actually thought that person might be Steven and that Maggie took the picture.

Weibo Steven and his badminton racket