Jin Wei regrets leaving national fold, wants to restart career elsewhere

PETALING JAYA: Singles shuttler Goh Jin Wei wants to play badminton badly again but as an independent player and not under the banner of Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM).

In a short statement made on YouTube yesterday, the 21-year-old Jin Wei expressed her regrets of quitting the national team.

She made it clear that she wanted to restart her career but as an independent shuttler.

The 2017 SEA Games champion’s reaction came a day after StarSport reported that she was set to make a comeback after leaving the national team in September just before the Sudirman Cup in Finland.

BAM secretary Datuk Kenny Goh confirmed that Jin Wei’s request to return to the national fold has been made through the Badminton Association of Penang but the national body have yet to make any decision on the former national No. 1’s status.

Penangite Jin Wei said she did not want to waste any more time.

“I’ve lived in regrets every day ever since I quit. Undeniably, badminton has been part of my life,” admitted Jin Wei.

“I really wish to continue playing regardless the status of the tournament and for now, I wish to start as an independent player.”

Jin Wei thanked BAM for inviting her to rejoin the national team.

“I’m honoured to be invited by the national team to rejoin them and I’m thankful to them for having faith in me,” she said.

“However, I’m unable to give 100% commitment and I will not be able to fulfil the requirement to be in the national team due to my health reasons,” said Jin Wei, who was affected by a stomach ailment, which saw her out of the game for a long time, and which eventually led her to ending her career prematurely.

She says she does not want to take any one’s spot under the national team.

“I don’t wish to disappoint any one in this situation. Therefore, I will continue to monitor my health condition and do my best to improve myself to pick up what I’ve missed over the past months to ensure that I’ll be well prepared to serve the country in the future.

“Every player contributes and fights for the country regardless of whether they are in the national team or play as an independent player. I will work hard as an independent player first.”