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James puts issue with BAM aside to focus on task at Wembley

Posted by Lucas Liau Latest News 11:51 AM

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk James Selvaraj’s future as the high performance director with the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) is still uncertain.

But he will not let his personal problems stop him from doing his best to psyche up the players to become champions at the World Championships, which will be held in Wembley from Aug 8-14.

James and team manager Ng Chin Chai left to join the Malaysian team at Bath University yesterday.

The team are undergoing centralised training in Bath Spa, which is situated in Somerset County as part of the final preparations for the world meet. The team will leave for Wembley on Thursday.

The fate of James will be decided after the World Championships when the BAM review the performances of their coaches and players.

Last month, the BA of Malaysia have decided that they preferred a high performance director on a full-time basis but James, a senior manager with Bata Malaysia, had been appointed on a part-time basis last September.

James had met up with the president Datuk Seri Nadzmi Mohd Salleh, secretary Chin Chai and general manager Kenny Goh to look into his predicament but the former Thomas Cupper has yet to make a decision.

Not allowing the matter to pull him down, James said that he would focus on the task of boosting the players’ confidence in the World Championships team.

“There is nothing much we can do as far as their game is concerned. Now is the time to motivate the players and think positively about becoming world champions,” said James.

“This is no longer a Super Series event but it is the prestigious world event.

“I want the players to enjoy themselves but at the same time, they must have that desire to win.

“It is all about psychological warfare now. It can come from outside or within.

“My team of coaches will assist the players in handling the pressure that comes with the expectations.”

James added: “One of my jobs when I was appointed last September was to produce champions. And I hope that the long wait will end at Wembley.”

Realistically, James said that Malaysia’s hopes rested on the shoulders of Lee Chong Wei and Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong in the men’s singles and men’s doubles events respectively.