Back-up and junior shuttlers for SEA Games challenge

Medal prospect: Siti Nurshuhaini Azman has been tasked with a podium finish in the Hanoi SEA Games.

KUALA LUMPUR: The Hanoi SEA Games in May is the best platform for the country’s young badminton players to make a name for themselves.

As such, the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) have decided to send a combination of juniors and back-up players to shoulder the challenge at the biennial games from May 12-23.

BAM secretary Datuk Kenny Goh hoped they would use the platform to prove their worth on the international stage.

Kenny added that the decision to send the second-stringers was also due to the fact that the SEA Games overlaps with the Thomas Cup and Uber Cup Finals in Bangkok from May 8-15.

“Our focus is the Thomas and Uber Cup Finals but the SEA Games is also important. I believe these players are up to the task,” said Kenny after the SEA Games selection committee meeting yesterday.

Kenny hoped the squad would deliver again after successfully bringing home three gold medals from the 2019 edition in the Philippines.

“Even though we are sending players who are much younger and more for exposure, we will still give our best,” he said.

Meanwhile, BAM doubles coaching director Rexy Mainaky said the chances of winning medals were bright in the mixed and women doubles events, as well as in the men’s team event.

The doubles players are Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun, Mohd Haikal Nazri-Wan Mohd Arif Shaharuddin Wan Junaidi (men); Yap Ling-Go Pei Kee, Cheng Su Yin-Cheng Su Hui (women); and Hoo Pang Ron- Cheah Yee See and Chen Tang Jie-Peck Yen Wei (mixed doubles).

On the target for individual events, BAM singles coaching director Wong Choong Hann said Lim Chong King, Kok Jing Hong, Lee Shun Yang and Justin Hoh were expected to deliver podium finishes.

“In women’s competition, we have lined up Siti Nurshuhaini Azman, Loh Zhi Wei, Ong Xin Yee and Siti Zulaikha Muhd ​​Azmi who are potential players from the junior squad,” said Choong Hann. — Bernama