WOMEN’S doubles shuttler Vannee Gobi is determined to fully grasp the opportunity to learn from senior Valeree Siow after both were paired together in the Malaysia Games (Sukma).
Vannee, who had recently been included in the national junior elite programme by the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) to fast track talented players by sending them to more senior-level tournaments, will be making her debut in the Sukma, representing Perak and wants to gain as much experience as possible.
“I have watched Valeree play in tournaments and she is always brave on court. I want to learn a lot from her and gain experience in my first Sukma,” she said.
Vannee could indeed pick up pointers from Valeree, who is known as a versatile player as she plays in both women’s and mixed doubles.
In the women’s doubles, the 20-year-old Valeree is ranked 57th in the world with her usual partner Low Yeen Yuan while in the mixed doubles, she and Chen Tang Jie are ranked 71st.
In the Sukma, Valeree will also be playing in the mixed doubles with Lim Tze Jian.
Vannee has vowed to give her all with Valeree to try and get a medal for her state.
“I feel really happy to get this opportunity to represent Perak and will fight hard to get a medal,” said Vannee.
Her best achievement so far was capturing the National Under-18 Championships with Lee Xin Jie last month.
After this, the youngster is aiming to win an international title and break into the senior team as soon as possible.
“The programme to fast track junior players is really good as we can be exposed to higher-level tournaments faster. I really hope to come good through this and win an international title this year. I also want to get into the senior team as fast as I can,” she added.
