Fast-tracking for Paris

junior chief coach Kwan Yoke Meng is ready to play a key role in ensuring Project 24 achieves its target.

This includes scouting for talents outside the Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) and fast-tracking them to be ready for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Currently, BJSS serves as a feeder to the BA of Malaysia (BAM), but only a selected few make it every year.

BAM are hopeful that through Project 24, Malaysia will finally win the elusive gold medal at the Olympics in Paris as well as fight for other major trophies.

One of the key areas of focus is development.

If previously BAM depended on BJSS alone, now they will have to start looking outside to broaden their horizon as far as the talent pool is concerned.

“This is the way forward. We have to start fast-tracking players, not just in BJSS but outside as well.

“I am no stranger to a programme like this because I was part of something similar in 1988, four years before Malaysia won the Thomas Cup.

“Youngsters Fazriq Razif and Justin Hoh are good examples of what fast-tracking can do,” said Yoke Meng yesterday.

Fazriq, the youngest son of former international Razif Sidek, and Justin are only 15 but have started training and playing with Under-18 players.

Another bold move by BAM was to include 16-year-old K. Letshanaa in the squad for the World Junior Championships in Kazan, Russia, which starts later this month.

“What I’ve noticed is that when you fast-track younger players, they build up faster too, in terms of their strength and skills,” added Yoke Meng, who is confident that Malaysia can return from the world junior meet with a few medals from the individual events.

Last year, Malaysia returned with one gold through Goh Jin Wei (girls’ singles) and one silver from Pearly Tan-Toh Ee Wei (doubles).