Rashid: Back-up shuttlers must earn the right to compete in tournaments
News 12:06 PM
PETALING JAYA: Judging by the entries for the Singapore Open from June 9-14, there will be no more free rides for the national shuttlers.
Tan Chun Seang was the only shuttler from the national elite-back up squad to be given the nod by the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) to compete alongside world No. 1 Lee Chong Wei in the fifth leg of the Super Series badminton circuit.
It was a double boost for Chun Seang, who was a last-minute inclusion in the Malaysian squad for the Sudirman Cup world mixed team championships in Guangzhou starting this Sunday.
Mohd Hafiz Hashim, Kuan Beng Hong, Liew Daren, Chong Wei Feng and Mohd Arif Abdul Latif were not considered for the Singapore Open.
Besides Chong Wei and Chun Seang, the others entered for the men’s singles were former top players Wong Choong Hann, Roslin Hashim and Lee Tsuen Seng.
Singles head coach Rashid Sidek warned the back-up shuttlers not to take it for granted that they would be picked for all the international meets.
“Our back-up players were given the chance to play in the Super Series previously but their results have not been encouraging. They have to earn the right to go on merit from now on,” said Rashid.
“They will only be sent for the Super Series if they can prove themselves in the Grand Prix or local tournaments first.”
Doubles coach Rexy Mainaky also sprang a surprise in the men’s doubles selection, leaving out national No. 2 pairing of Mohd Fairuzizuan Mohd Tazari-Mohd Zakry Latif and the rest of the men’s back-up squad.
Fairuzizuan will only play in the mixed doubles with Wong Pei Tty in the Singapore Open, leaving Swiss Open champion Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong as the only BAM representatives.
Rexy has five men’s doubles back-up pairs under his charge – Hoon Thien How-Lin Woon Fui, Khoo Chung Chiat-Ong Soon Hock, Mak Hee Chun-Tan Wee Kiong, Mohd Razif Abdul Latif-Chan Peng Soon and Goh Wei Shem-Vountus Indra Mawan.
Posted by Lucas Liau
on 12:06 PM.
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