NEW BREED ON THE RISE

BAM’s move to expose youngsters is beginning to bear fruit

BA of Malaysia (BAM) president Datuk Seri Norza Zakaria believes the national body have succeeded in producing a new breed of shuttlers with talent to challenge for top honours next season.

Norza said the decision to expose more youngsters to international competitions this year instead of depending on the same senior players is the reason Malaysian badminton is in good hands.

“During my time as the coaching and training (C&T) committee chairman, we had succeeded in developing players capable of competing at the Olympic level and subsequently we managed three medals from Rio (2016),” said Norza after the final of the AirAsia-BAM National Junior League in Bukit Kiara yesterday.

“And this year, we had at least one 21year-old competing in every tournament we participated in.”

Among the players who impressed BAM this year were Lee Zii Jia (men’s singles), Goh Jin Wei (women’s singles), Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik (men’s doubles), Hoo Pang Ron-Cheah Yee See and Chen Tang Jie-Peck Yen Wei (both mixed doubles).

Zii Jia, 20, and Jin Wei, 18, were the most outstanding players this season.

Zii Jia won the Taiwan Open and was runner-up at the Korea Masters while Jin Wei created history by winning the Olympic Youth Games gold in Argentina and also the World Junior Championship title for a second time.

Norza added that he believes the national players will begin next year with confidence, especially with Lee Chong Wei set to make a return to training next month.

Chong Wei, who has been undergoing nose cancer treatment since July, is still awaiting clearance from his doctors.

“I believe we will have a good start in 2019 following the progress made by our young players. It puts our players on the right platform for the Olympic qualifying period, which starts on May 1,” added Norza.

“The combination of new and old players, as well as the return of Chong Wei, will make the national squad stronger next season.”