BAM won’t send ‘substandard team’ this time
THE Philippines Sea Games may not be the most prestigious competition but the BA of Malaysia (BAM) are not willing to risk their chances by fielding a substandard squad this December.
BAM coaching director Wong Choong Hann said the national body will take the biennial Games seriously as it will also be used to assess the players bound for next year’s Tokyo Olympics.
At the previous Sea Games in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia were without the likes of Lee Chong Wei, Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong and Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying, who were all in Glasgow for the World Championships.
“Our main discussion today (Monday) was on the progress of our shuttlers ahead of the Olympics. We also spoke about the squad for the Sea Games,” said Choong Hann after the jointworking committee meeting with the National Sports Council in Bukit Jalil yesterday.
“We are monitoring the players, and we should be coming up with our first list next month. This will include all the players (including professionals).”
In the absence of notable players from the previous edition, Malaysia only managed one gold, five silver and two bronze to finish third behind Thailand (four gold) and Indonesia (two gold).
“The Sea Games this year is an important objective to us, and it’s also a pit stop for the players before the Olympics next year.
“We will send our best medal prospects because we also want to gauge their progress ahead of the Olympics,” Choong Hann added.