Picking up the pieces: Myisha Khairul took to social media to announce her premature departure from the national team.
PETALING JAYA: Expect the national women’s singles department to start the new season with a clean slate and more new faces.
Yesterday, women’s singles shuttler Myisha Khairul took to social media to announce her premature departure from the national team after she was dropped by the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM). She had served the senior team for only two years.
And more are set to join Myisha out the door.
Myisha, who lost to India’s Shivani Gadde 14-21, 8-21, in the second round of the ongoing Malaysian International Challenge, did not state the real reason why she had been axed in her Instagram story.
“Done and dusted. Signing off,” posted the 20-year-old from Johor.
She said she would miss her good friends in the BAM, which includes youngster Siti Nurshuhaini Azman, who also fell in the second round of the home meet.
Myisha had won her first senior international title at the Dutch International in April but her performances have been underwhelming since then.
The others left in the squad are S. Kisona, Eoon Qi Xuan, Khor Jing Wen, Tan Zhing Yi, Loh Zhi Wei and Joanne Ng - but some of them could be dropped as well.
The entire department has come under fire with below par performances.
Injury-prone Kisona, who withdrew from the tournament, may also be on her way out.
Myisha’s exit has marked a turbulent year in the women’s singles department.
Just a few months ago, one of their coaches Loh Wei Sheng quit and joined the Singapore BA. And earlier this year, Indonesian Indra Wijaya left and that paved the way for former international James Chua to step in.
While confirming Myisha’s exit, Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM) chief executive officer Michelle Chai also indicated that the women’s singles could see more changes.
“Yes, Myisha has been dropped from the national team. We will reveal further in a press conference next week,” said Michelle.
“We usually do review the performances of our players at the end of the year and decide on their contract renewals. This is a normal process.
“We will be doing this with all the players, not just the women’s singles,” she added.
