Jin Wei picks professional outfit KLRC over national team

Time to get busy: Goh Jin Wei commenced training at the KLRC’s base in Cheras last week.

PETALING JAYA: Two-time world junior champion Goh Jin Wei has opted to become an independent player and will not return to the national team.

Yesterday, the 21-year-old officially signed for Kuala Lumpur Racquet Club (KLRC), a professional outfit, with former national shuttler Soong Joo Ven.

It is expected more will follow suit especially players from the now defunct Sports Affairs Academy.

KLRC manager Sairol Amar Ayob said they are delighted to welcome Jin Wei on board and will try their utmost best to make sure she qualifies for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Sairol revealed that Jin Wei commenced training at their base in Cheras last week.

“She has signed for three years with the Olympics her main target,” said Sairol, a former international.

“We’re willing to invest in Jin Wei because we feel that she deserves a second chance.

“She’s still very young and is eager to fight on. So, we’re here to support her.”

The move is not expected to go down well with the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM), who wanted Jin Wei to return to the national fold.

KLRC will have to negotiate with BAM for a solution because any participation in BWF-sanctioned tournaments need to be approved by the national body.

“I don’t think there will be any problems. BAM president Tan Sri Norza (Zakaria) had previously stated that whether the players are competing independently or under BAM banner, they are all still representing the country,” explained Sairol.

“It’s for the betterment of our badminton so I don’t see why they should stop or block a player (from competing).”

Sairol added that a press conference will be held soon to announce their new signings.

For the time being, Jin Wei and Joo Ven will train under Indonesian Nova Armada, the former Sports Affairs Academy coach.

Formed in 2005, KLRC previously boast of a notable line-up that comprised the likes of Hafiz Hashim, Fairuzizuan Tazari, Zakry Latif, Gan Teik Chai and Tan Bin Shen.