Positive: Datuk Ng Chin Chai is optimistic that the Malaysian squad is on track to meet the three-gold medal target for the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.
PUTRAJAYA: The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) president Datuk Seri Norza Zakaria’s three month ultimatum to the players and coaches has turned out surprisingly well.
BAM secretary Datuk Ng Chin Chai said the warning last week has certainly jolted the national camp with players and coaches responding well.
“It was actually more of a wake-up call rather than a warning,” he said.
Norza had delivered the ultimatum last week to either buck up or be dropped after three months following a below-par showing by the national shuttlers at the All-England championships.
Chin Chai said a lot of people misunderstood the statement.
“We are not bringing in new coaches or introducing a new programme.
“We just wanted the players and the coaches to show more self awareness and not take things for granted.
“I think the training got a little slack recently and it was just a reminder to cut out the unnecessary stuff like staying up too late.
“It has shown good effect as players have been coming in for training earlier and there is more quality in training now,” he said.
Meanwhile, Chin Chai said the Commonwealth Games squad are on track to meet their three-gold target in Gold Coast.
“We can meet our three-gold target. It’s just that the challenge is greater now as India have two strong men’s singles and one strong men’s pair,” he said.
“Our players are certainly capable but they just need to be consistent daily when the competition starts.
“Now that they have all gotten their wake-up calls, they are pushing a lot harder so I think were doing good.”
BAM have named Lee Chong Wei, Goh V Shem, Tan Wee Kiong, Chan Peng Soon, Goh Soon Huat (men), Soniia Cheah, Vivian Hoo, Chow Mei Kuan, Goh Liu Ying and Shevon Lai Jemie (women) for the Gold Coast Games.
Besides that, Chin Chai also added that independent shuttler Lim Khim Wah will join the national training next week.
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