Umpiring in mixed doubles final not up to the mark — BAM
KUAL A LUMPU R: The Badminton Associat ion of Malaysia ( BAM) wil l send a letter to the Badminton World Federation ( BWF) and England Badminton Association to register their dissatisfaction over the quality of umpiring in the All England, especially in the mixed doubles final.
BAM deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Norza Zakaria said he agreed with the comments of Goh Liu Ying who partnered Chan Peng Soon, that a number of decisions and remarks by the umpire during their match against China’s Lu Kai/ Huang Yaqiong, lacked professionalism.
“I was also not happy with the umpire who seemed overzealous and such umpires should not be officiating such a prestigious tournament like the All England. I have asked BAM technical director Morten Frost to send a letter to BWF and England BA.
“However, I hope our players will be better prepared to face such situations because their rhythm and play can be affected,” he told Bernama yesterday.
The pair had won the first set 21-18 and were leading 17-16 in the second set when the umpire penalised a stroke by Peng Soon, claiming his racquet had touched the net although a review of the shot showed otherwise. They eventually lost 19-21, 16-21.
Liu Ying was quoted in an English daily that her play was affected by the umpire’s decision while Peng Soon too lost his rhythm.
The umpire had also f lashed a yellow card to Peng Soon for returning to the court a second late while requests for a change of the shuttlecock had also been denied by the umpire.
Meanwhile, BAM president Tan Sri Al- Amin Abdul Majid said BAM was satisfied with the overall performance of the team.
“I am happy with the overall per formance of the team, especially Datuk Lee Chong Wei’s victory and the mixed doubles pair’s runner-up spot.
However, the performance of the men’s doubles pair showed a little concern before they went into the tournament as the top seeds but lost in the quarterfinals,” he said when met at the airport.
Chong Wei’s fourth All England victory equalled the feats of former greats Wong Peng Soon and Eddy B. Chong. — Bernama