It’s our turn, say young shuttlers
SEPANG: The absence of Datuk Lee Chong Wei won’t break the fighting spirit of young shuttlers in the national badminton squad competing at the Asian Games in Indonesia this month.
Former world number one Chong Wei had to withdraw from the Games due to health problem and was replaced with independent shuttler Liew Daren, the semi- finalist at the World Championships in Nanjing, China.
Chong Wei’s absence was a huge blow for the squad, but ‘it would not break our spirit to fight’, according to rising men’s singles player Lee Zii Jia.
“The current players are aware of the tasks and it is time for us to stand on our feet,” he said.
“Our preparations are as usual, uninterrupted despite the absence of Datuk Lee Chong Wei but we will try to emulate his spirit when we are competing there.
“The majority of the players are young.
“So, what I can say is that we will try our best to make history and achieve the target,” he said when met by Bernama at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 ( klia2) before leaving for Indonesia.
Zii Jia, who will make his Asian Games debut, said he is under no pressure and pledged to give all out at the Games.
He will play in the individual and team events.
Among the young players for the Games included Soong Joo Ven, Leong Jun Hao, Ong Yew Sin and Teo Ee Yi.
Singles player Leong Jun Hao, who is expected to be listed in team event, said Chong Wei’s absence has opened the opportunity for shuttlers like him to play in Asian Games, the second-largest multisport event after the Olympic Games.
“I will do my best. Indeed, it’s different without him (Chong Wei) but Liew Daren also has positive impact on us and can be our driving force,” he said.
Meanwhile, national gymnastic queen Farah Ann Abdul Hadi said she wanted to improve her position in the individual and overall categories at the Games.
Without putting any medal targets, the Selangor lass said she just wanted to progress all the way to the final.
“The last time in Incheon 2014, I was placed seventh and obviously I want to better the position. I want to enter the finals and realise my dream,” she said when met by Bernama.
The 2016 World Gymnastic Cup silver medalist had appeared twice in the Asian Games in the team events. The individual events were not competed in previous Asian Games.
Indonesia is hosting some 11,000 athletes and 5,000 officials from 45 Asian countries for the Aug 18 to Sept 2 event.
Malaysia is sending 426 national athletes to compete in 35 events to be held in Palembang and Jakarta.
The current players are aware of the tasks and it is time for us to stand on our feet. Lee Zii Jia, men’s singles player