‘Work Permit’ Card of Singaporean Badminton Star Loh Kean Yew Found Near Sports Complex in China

In Zhengzhou, China, a passerby stumbled upon what appeared to be a “work permit” card featuring Singaporean badminton player Loh Kean Yew. The card, found near the Zhengzhou Olympic Sports Centre, bore Loh’s photo, identified him as a Singapore Olympic athlete, and included the “Paris 2024” label along with the Olympic symbol.

Curious about the card’s owner, the finder posted on Chinese social media platform Xiaohongshu, sparking speculation among users who suspected it was fan-made rather than an official ID. One commenter mentioned, “This is a fan-made card, not misplaced by Loh himself,” and Loh’s team later confirmed, “This is a fake as far as we are aware.”

Some commenters, sympathizing with the confused finder, pointed out the abundance of fan merchandise, including cards replicating official athlete IDs. A quick search on Taobao revealed several sellers offering similar cards featuring Loh’s name and likeness, even showcasing Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 versions.

While Loh has yet to make an official announcement on his participation in the Paris Olympics 2024, he expressed hope in an interview to become Singapore’s first Olympic badminton medalist.