Move to hold open selection trials gets the thumbs-up

KUALA LUMPUR: The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM)’s bold move to hold an open selection trials for club and state players to gain entry into the national team has received the thumbs-up.

On Saturday, BAM president Tengku Tan Sri Tengku Mahaleel Tengku Arif introduced a new ranking tournament to enable club and state players to challenge players in the national team.

There will also be an open selection trials for the Thomas Cup Finals and SEA Games so that the best players will represent the country.

Talent Management Group (TMG) director Tan Aik Mong will come out with the details and procedures for the selection trials. It will be done once he has established a national ranking for all the BAM players.

Looi Badminton Academy’s managing director Jack Koh said that it was a fair decision.

“The clubs welcome this good move. In the past, club players had no direct access to get selected into the national teams. In fact, we have even struggled to enter our players for National Open tournaments. We like this open policy,” said Jack.

“However, it is important that it is carried out in a professional manner. We are waiting for more details on the matter like how many times the trials will be held in a year, the format etc,” he added.

Former international Lin Woon Fui, who is currently a coach-cum-player with AirAsia Academy, said the decision would inspire the club players to raise their standard of play.

“We can’t just send anyone for the trials. The club players must be of good stature and calibre to challenge the cream of the crop. This will motivate clubs like ours to push our players.

“Now we know that there is hope for club players. Maybe, even former players like me can try to regain a place in the national team. If only, I was fit like before,” said the former All-England semi-finalist in jest.

Former Thomas Cupper Kwan Yoke Meng lauded the BAM’s move to be open and transparent, but said its success would all depend on the execution.

“Open selection trials will keep the national players on their toes. But I believe the success of this selection process will depend on having the right process,” he said.

“One should not represent the Thomas Cup Finals for exposure. The selection must be well thought out. We want only the best players to go for it,” added Yoke Meng, who is expected to be roped in by Aik Mong to improve the game in the country.