Youngster Yen Mei is ready to justify BAM's faith in her

IF there’s an urgent need for a woman singles player in team events, who ya gonna call?

Well, Ho Yen Mei, of course.

Last year, she was promoted to play first singles following a knee injury to former national No. 1 Tee Jing Yi at the Uber Cup Asia qualifier in New Delhi, India.

This time, the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) have decided to drop national women’s singles champion Goh Jin Wei for the Badminton Asia Mixed Team Champion­ships in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam from Feb 14-19.

And guess who they’ve promoted to the main role?

Yes, Yen Mei it is.

And the gutsy 20-year-old is ready to justify BAM’s faith in her once again.

“It (Uber Cup Asia qualifier) was my first attempt at a major team event ... and I won every match that played in. I gained a lot of experience,” said Yen Mei.

“Now, I’m the highest-ranked women’s singles player in Jin Wei’s absence in the mixed team event. I hope to deliver the goods.

“Team events are always special. I tend to be more energetic and extra motivated. I enjoy the team spirit.”

The others in the team bound for Ho Chi Minh City are Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin, Lim Chi Wing (men’s singles); Teo Ee Yi-Ong Yew Sin, Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani (men’s doubles); Lee Ying Ying (women’s singles); Chow Mei Kuan-Lee Meng Yean, Lim Yin Loo-Yap Cheng Wen (women’s doubles); and Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing and Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie (mixed doubles).

Yen Mei has shown steady progress since graduating to the national team in 2013, but admits that she still needs to work hard on improving her fitness level.

“I lost in the first round at the Malaysian Masters (in Sibu, Sarawak) last week and it’s clear that I still lack fitness and endurance. I’ll work hard to improve on these areas,” said Yen Mei, who hopes to break into top 40 by end of this year.

Her most memorable achievement in the last three years was winning her first senior title at the fifth-tier Poland International Series in 2015.

“I enjoyed the Europe trip. Winning the title was good, but it wouldn’t have happened without good team support. It’s nice to have a small family to look out for one another when we’re abroad,” said the soft-spoken Yen Mei.

“We do things together ... like cooking, grocery shopping and even helping one another to cool down in the absence of a masseur and physiotherapist.”

Asked who is her greatest inspiration, she replied: “It’s got to be (squash queen) Nicol David. She showed that athletes can excel in sports and studies. She is a determined person.

“She has attained greatness, but still remains humble and friendly ... that’s what I love the most about her,” said Yen Mei, who is now enjoying a five-day break for the Chinese New Year celebration.

Before resuming training, she plans to enjoy some quality time with her family and friends.

For the reunion this year, she invited all her close friends to a sumptuous steamboat dinner at her home in Ampang, Kuala Lumpur.

“My family has been my pillar of support and it’s great to spend time with them. I’ve not forgotten my childhood friends either.

“I trained with them during my younger days under the state programme. We’ve grown up together since I was 10 years old. Most of us are in the national team now ... and that’s nice,” she said.