Shape up or ship out
BAM to hold two selection reviews to eradicate mediocrity
KUALA LUMPUR: It’s just not good enough. That’s Datuk Seri Norza Zakaria’s verdict on the overall performances of the national shuttlers this year after meeting the players at the year’s last monthly assembly at the Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM) yesterday.
And the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) president has warned the players to buck up.
Norza said they would hold two selection reviews instead of one from next year onwards to eradicate mediocrity.
“The entry and exit points for players will be held twice – in February and August every year. This is the best way to eliminate the under-performers,” said Norza.
Except for the 35-year-old Lee Chong Wei, no other Malaysian shuttler has won a Superseries title this year.
Chong Wei ruled the opening season of the Superseries Tour at the All-England in March and dominated the last leg at the Hong Kong Open last month.
The BAM also contributed one gold medal at the Kuala Lumpur SEA Games in August through Goh Jin Wei in the women’s singles.
“I’ve been the president since April but there were just a few good results over the last eight months. It’s disappointing, really. I keep hearing that our players lack the winning mentality,” said Norza.
“We celebrate Chong Wei’s recent achievements but in reality, it also shows how dependent we are on one player. He, too, struggled at some stage this year before he made a comeback.
“We did well to win three silver medals at the 2016 Olympic Games but that’s in the past. I want the players to step up next year. They’ve to adopt the fighting spirit like our neighbouring players from Thailand and Indonesia.”
Norza said he was happy with the decision to reunite Goh V Shem and Tan Wee Kiong but wanted the players to keep a level head.
“I was unhappy with their performances this year and they were eventually split. But we had to swallow our pride to bring them back together for the sake of our nation,” he said.
“I hope they’ll work out their differences and play with their hearts – especially at the Thomas Cup Finals.”
Norza said that players would be aptly rewarded if they deliver. Yesterday, he made a payout of RM1.07mil in prize money and bonuses to the players who had won titles – from the lower tier to the higher tier tournaments.
He also rewarded para shuttler Cheah Liek Hou with an incentive of RM10,000 for winning the men’s singles title at the BWF-Para World Championships in Ulsan, South Korea, last month.
“Liek Hou has made us proud for winning his 11th world title. I hope the others will emulate him. We will reward our players if they deliver,” added Norza.