Yoke Meng sets two-title target for his junior shuttlers
KUALA LUMPUR: Two titles – one individual and one team.
That is the target set for Malaysian shuttlers at the World Junior Championships in Yogjakarta, Indonesia, from Oct 9-22.
Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) singles head coach Kwan Yoke Meng hopes they can maintain their good showing in the mixed team event.
Malaysia lost to China in the final in Bilbao, Spain, last year.
“We hope our team can reach the final and win it. The team title will bring the most joy to the nation,” said Yoke Meng.
Malaysia have only won the mixed team title once in 2011 in Taiwan.
Malaysia will be represented by 10 boys (Leong Jun Hao, Sim Fong Hau, Chia Weije, Ng Tze Yong, Ng Eng Cheong, Chang Yee Jun, Aidil Sholeh Ali Sadikin, Man Wei Chong, Kwek Yee Jian and Tee Kai Wun) and nine girls (Goh Jin Wei, Tan Sueh Jeou, Eoon Qi Xuan, Lim Mei Chen, Pearly Tan Koong Le, Toh Ee Wei, Ng Wan Win, Yap Ling and Eng Sin Jou) in Yogjakarta.
Kuala Lumpur SEA Games girls’ singles champion Goh Jin Wei and Asian junior boys’ singles champion Leong Jun Hao are expected to lead the hunt for individual honours.
“We’re targeting one individual title and it doesn’t matter where it comes from,” said Yoke Meng.
Jin Wei was the last girls’ singles champion in 2015 while Zulfadli Zulkiffli was the last to triumph in the boys’ section in 2011.
Malaysia last won the boys’ doubles titel (Teo Ee Yi-Nelson Heg Wei Keat) in 2011 and the mixed doubles crown (Lim Khim Wah-Ng Hui Lin) in 2007.
Malaysia have never won the girls’ doubles title since the tournament’s inception in 1992.
This year’s team will also comprise the biggest number of non-Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) players. Aidil, Wei Chong, Yee Jian and Kai Wun are all club players.
“We chose only the best players – be it from BAM, clubs or states,” said Yoke Meng.