BAM ‘accepts’ Toh Ee Wei’s decision to not train for now

KU�L� LUMPUR: The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) respects national women’s doubles player Toh Ee Wei’s decision not to return to the training camp at the Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM) for the time being.

BAM coaching director Wong Choon Hann said it would be unfair if BAM imposed a deadline for the young player to return, as she was mentally and physically not yet ready to do so.

“The latest status as of today, she will not be turning up at BAM for the time being, and she has requested for more time to prepare before getting herself fit again and to prepare herself mentally. We in BAM give her our blessing for that.

“She is young and she needs some time, we will give her that,” he said, adding that BAM should also be treated fairly in this matter, as they had to cater to all players and not just certain individuals.

The 18-year-old was reportedly absent from the BAM training camp on May 7 as she was not fully prepared to do so following a long break after undergoing nasal surgery due to chronic sinusitis.

However, Toh came to ABM on May 10 after receiving an email from the parent body.

The e-mail was said to have stated that BAM would not allow her to participate in any international tournaments if she did not report on that day.

Choong Hann said BAM had worked hard to help all players including the Melaka-born Tee, but it was up to the players to choose their career in badminton.

“So for Ee Wei, she has to know what she wants for herself. We have already handed out our hand to her, it’s just that she has to be prepared to hold ours at this point,” he said.

For the record, the pairing of TohPearly Tan emerged as runners-up for the Asian Junior and World Junior badminton championships in Canada in July and November last year.

As a result, the pair was offered a place in the senior camp but Toh was forced to withdraw after undergoing nasal surgery due to chronic sinusitis in December and required a long time to recuperate.