It’s time to go the extra mile Chong Wei to be more involved in guiding men’s singles shuttlers

Eager for action: Lee Chong Wei will begin the season at the All-England in Birmingham from March 7-12.

KUALA LUMPUR: Three-time Olympic silver medallists Lee Chong Wei is ready to do more this year for the juniors under the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) banner.

His main goal is to hand over the baton to the second echelon of players successfully as he enters his final lap as a player.

“BAM deputy president (Datuk Seri Norza Zakaria) had earlier stated that our men’s singles is in ICU (Intensive Care Unit) and I couldn’t agree more,” said Chong Wei.

“Our singles players didn’t do very well at the Malaysian Masters (in Sibu last week). The men’s singles is the weakest department now.

“I’ve spoken to the singles coaches (Hendrawan, Tey Seu Bock and Indra Wijaya) and I’ll be more involved in guiding the shuttlers. I’ll be spending more time with the players.”

Chong Wei pointed out that the onus was on the players to step up to the plate and set higher goals.

“Iskandar (Zulkarnain Zainuddin) is 25 years old and is struggling to make the top 10. I was in top 10 when I was 25.

“We may have the best coaches and training methods but the players must have the will and desire to be successful,” said Chong Wei, who hosted an elaborate Chinese New Year dinner for the men’s and women’s singles shuttlers on Monday.

Each of the shuttler went home with a lucky draw gift as “it’s my way of showing my appreciation to the team”.

“Some of them have sparred with me regularly ... I’m thankful,” said the world No. 1.

“They’ve played a part in my career. I wouldn’t have been able to do it by myself.”

Chong Wei has also promised to give a different kind of gift to his legion of fans – doing his best in all the tournaments until the World Championships in Glasgow from Aug 21-27.

He will begin the season at the All-England in Birmingham from March 7-12. This will be followed by the India Open in New Delhi (March 28-April 2), Malaysian Open in Kuching (April 4-9), Sudirman Cup in Gold Coast (May 21-28) and the Indonesian Open in Jakarta (June 13-18).

“I know that I’m in the last lap of my career before I retire. So, I want to give my best in every tournament.

“For now, I’m looking at playing until the world meet ... let’s see how it goes. If my condition is bad, I’ll call it a day,” said Chong Wei.