FUTURE LOOKS BRIGHT, SAYS NORZA

Youngsters stepping up based on results in Malaysia International Challenge

NATIONAL shuttlers should no longer be distinguished by virtue of seniority, says BA of Malaysia (BAM) president Datuk Seri Norza Zakaria.

Instead, he hopes his coaches would start practicing meritocracy.

Norza also believes it would be better for all shuttlers to come together, making full use of the facilities provided, including sports science expertise.

This comes following the national squad’s success in reaching all five finals (winning two) at the Malaysia International Challenge on Sunday.

From the 10 Malaysians who were involved in the five finals, six were aged 21 and below.

Norza, who has been stressing on development since becoming president last year, said: “We feel proud to see these young shuttlers doing well.

“It gives us hope, knowing that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

“For the longest time, I have been stressing that players should not be distinguished by virtue of seniority.

“Coaches should get them all to train together and assess them based on their performances.

“That is why, come June or July, we will have all our players, including the juniors from the Bukit Jalil Sports School joining us here at the academy.

“They will train and progress under one roof.”

On Sunday, Malaysia won titles through Soong Fie Cho-Tee Jing Yi (women’s doubles) and Chen Tang Jie-Peck Yen Wei (mixed doubles).

It was, however, men’s doubles Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik who caught the attention of Norza.

Aaron-Wooi Yik, played brilliantly throughout the competition, seeing off top pairs, including last year’s champions Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani in the semi-finals, before going down in three games to former world champions Mohammad Ahsan-Hendra Setiawan of Indonesia.

“The pair can be a class act. Their performance in the final was superb. They were unfazed playing against the world champions. That is the kind of spirit we want to see in our players,” Norza added.