ALOR STAR: The euphoria of witnessing the first Kedah athlete win a prestigious medal at the 2024 Olympic Games stirred a cafe owner here today into giving free coffee to customers to toast the success.
Managing director of Encomas Sdn Bhd and Caffe Diem Datuk Rick Cheng Wooi Seong said he was immensely proud of the achievement of national men's singles Lee Zii Jia, who won the bronze medal after defeating India's Lakshya Sen.
"Actually, this is not the first time we have given away free coffee to customers.
Previously, when the Kedah football team won, we also gave free coffee but the response was not like today and I was very surprised to see the people's response.
"Perhaps the celebration this time is more lively because the winner of the medal is a Kedah boy. We opened the shop at noon but some people had queued earlier and they were willing to queue for a long time, so I say 'thank you'," Cheng said at the cafe here today (Aug 6).
He said customers can come and sip free coffee until midnight today and can choose from two types of coffee on the menu.
"We expect more than 500 cups of free coffee to be given out today. I am unsure whether Zii Jia knows about this free coffee, maybe his family knows and told him about it.
"Congratulations to Zii Jia and his family. If you come back to Alor Setar later, come to the cafe. Can eat and drink for free too," Cheng said.
World number seven Zii Jia scored a come-from-behind 13-21, 21-16, 21-11 win over Lakshya in the bronze medal playoff at the Porte de La Chapelle Arena in Paris. — BERNAMA