Malaysia women’s singles shuttler K. Letshanaa in action against Taiwan’s Peng Yu-wei in the third round of Malaysia Super 100 badminton event at Stadium Juara, Kuala Lumpur on Thursday. — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: Women’s singles coach Jeffer Rosobin may need to draw on his past experience to guide his players in securing crucial points for Malaysia at the Asia Mixed Team Championship Qingdao, China, from Feb 11-16.
The women’s singles players have been labelled as the weakest link with the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) placing their trust in Wong Li Ching and K. Letshanaa.
They will face huge challenge against Group B players from Indonesia, Hong Kong, and Kazakhstan.
Indonesia will be banking on world No. 15 Putri Kusuma Wardani and Thailand Masters finalist Komang Ayu Cahaya.
One advantage Jeffer holds in facing Indonesia is his previous experience as the women’s singles coach in Indonesia in 2017, which has given him some insight to plan the best strategies.
“Perhaps past experiences have given me some insight into which strategies could work for players A or B. However, ultimately, I hope these strategies can be embraced and understood by the players,” said Jeffer.
“What’s clear is that we are preparing in the best possible way for top-notch performance,” added Jeffer, who has only been coaching them for four months since being promoted from overseeing the national junior squad in October last year.
Hong Kong are seen as comparable opponents, with Saloni Samir Mehta, ranked 101st in the world, and Yeung Sum Yee, ranked 193rd, making up their line-up.
Meanwhile, Kazakhstan, although fielding only four female players, Diana Namenova, Nargiza Rakhmetullayeva, Kamila Smagulova, and Aisha Zuhmabek, all of whom are capable of competing in both women’s singles and women’s doubles events.
The Malaysian girls still have an opportunity to contribute valuable points, dismissing the perception that they are among the weakest members of the national team.
Said Jeffer: “Right now, our players have reached an optimal level. What’s left is to focus on improving their technique, physical condition, and mindset, and we hope they can perform even better,” he added.
Besides Letshanaa and Li Ching, the others in the team are Leong Jun Hao and Justin Hoh (men’s singles); Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun, Wan Arif Wan Junaidi-Yap Roy King (men’s doubles); Go Pei Kee-Teoh Mei Xing, Cheng Su Hui-Tan Zhing Yi (women’s doubles) and Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Jamie Lai, Hoo Pang Ron-Cheng Su Yin (mixed doubles).
