PETALING JAYA: Seize the moment!.
Malaysian badminton legend Datuk Seri Jalani Sidek believes this could be the right time for the national shuttlers to end the country’s two-decade wait for an Asian Games gold medal.
The former international feels the likes of Aaron Chia-Tee Kai Wun, Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani and Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah are capable of making a strong push at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.
And with the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) also considering a reward for anyone who can end the long drought, Jalani feels the players should need little extra motivation.
"Looking at the motivation they have now, this is the time for them to show what they can do.
"It has been 20 years since Malaysia last won a gold medal, so this is their chance to prove themselves.
He also felt that the BAM president Tengku Zafrul Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz move to dangle rewards for the winners was good.
"I’m also happy that Tengku Zafrul has spoken about a reward. Whether it is the scratch pair, Sze Fei-Izzuddin or Pearly-Thinaah, they just have to go out there and prove it," said Jalani.
Jalani won a bronze medal with his brother Datuk Razif Sidek at the 1990 Beijing Asian Games.
He also feels the Malaysians can benefit from going into the Games without being among the main favourites.
"If I were a player, I would rather be the underdog because then you are not the main target.
"There will be less pressure on them and hopefully that will help them bring out their best.
"They just have to prove themselves," he added.
The individual events will follow after team events from Sept 25-29.
The country last won an Asian Games badminton gold through men’s doubles pair Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong at the 2006 Doha Games.
