Why, why tell us why?

Reason for Peng Soon-Liu Ying leaving is anybody’s guess

PETALING JAYA: Mixed doubles ace Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying have delivered a shocker by quitting the national team – but the reason behind their bombshell is anybody’s guess.

Nobody saw it coming, especially with the qualifying period for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics scheduled in May next year.

The world No. 6 may have been inconsistent but the pair are still undoubtedly one of the world’s best partnerships who will be considered as podium contenders at the Tokyo Games.

Unlike their under-fire men’s doubles teammates Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong, the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) have yet to openly voice their displeasure over Peng Soon-Liu Ying’s performances.

They did reasonably well since being reu- nited in January after a brief split. They reached four finals this year and won two of them – the Thailand Masters and US Open.

Hence, the question – why? Did they have a falling-out with the BAM? Or were they offered sponsorship offers they can’t refuse outside the national team? Or is it because they feel competing independently is the way to move forward and take their game to a higher level?

Turning professional is certainly seen as a bold move as they will now have to forgo the perks enjoyed with the national team – including coaching and training, wages and bonuses and more essentially, the support from the National Sports Institute.

Peng Soon, when contacted yesterday, refused to elaborate further but did admit that leaving the national team after 12 years was “one of the hardest decisions he made in life”.

“I must say it was a struggle to come up with this tough decision. It was surely one of the most difficult decisions made, it wasn’t made in a day or two,” said Peng Soon.

“I can’t thank BAM enough for everything they have given me since I joined them in 2006. I am who I am today because of the national team.

“At this juncture, it’s not convenient for me to share the details, we will do so when we return to Malaysia.”

BAM secretary-general Datuk Ng Chin Chai (pic) sees Peng Soon-Liu Ying’s resignation as a win-win situation for both the association and the players.

“It’s not easy for us to keep the senior players because they cost us a lot of money. So, it’s good in a way that they are no longer with BAM,” he said.

“We may now invest more on young players. It’s the young shuttlers that need our help. Unlike them (senior players), they don’t really need us to assist them in the financial and training aspects.

“With their statures, they should have no problem getting sponsors. They are also mature enough to train on their own and take care of themselves.

“In fact, they may be able to perform even better outside as it’s more relaxed and the pressure is less.”