SHUTTLER JING YI RESIGNS FROM BAM
Jing Yi has quit the national team after 12 years of service.
The two-time Olympian (2012 London and 2016 Rio) said she handed her resignation letter to the BA of Malaysia (BAM) last week.
One of Jing Yi’s final outings for the national squad was the Uber Cup in Bangkok in May. She also played in the first round of the Malaysia Open two weeks ago with scratch partner Goh Yea Ching.
“I don’t really have a reason. I just want to take a short break from badminton,” said the 27year-old yesterday.
Jing Yi, who joined the national ranks as a junior shuttler at the age of 13, was predominantly a singles player until she made the switch to doubles early last year.
Forming a partnership with 2015 Sea Games gold medallist Soong Fie Cho, the two went on to win three titles including the Malaysia International Challenge in April.
On whether she would go on to be a professional shuttler, the four-time national champion (2009, 2010, 2012 and 2015) added: “I will definitely return to the sport after my short break. I will see what happens next.”
BAM general manager Michelle Chai disclosed that men’s doubles player Chooi Kah Ming has also tendered his resignation.
Kah Ming, who was previously World No 44 with Low Juan Shen, will leave the national body with three other doubles players in Lim Khim Wah, Nur Azriyn Ayub and Arif Latif.
It is understood that players are resigning on their own accord instead of being axed later on by BAM in line with the national body’s new direction to focus on youth development.
BAM are expected to further trim down the national squad after next month’s Asian Games in August.