June Wei, 15, the youngest M’sian shuttler picked for Asian Juniors

PETALING JAYA: Being the youngest in the squad, Cheam June Wei was naturally surprised when he was picked for the Asian Junior Badminton Championships which begin on Saturday in Gimcheon, South Korea.

The 15-year-old June Wei joins Soong Joo Ven, Tan Kian Meng and Chong Yee Han as the fourth singles player in the team.

June Wei may only see playing time in the individual event but he is more than ecstatic at being handed the opportunity to compete in his first major junior tournament.

The Penang lad, who only joined the Bukit Jalil Sports School set-up last year, certainly deserves his shot after making the final of the MSSM and winning the National Junior Circuit GP Finals Under-16 boys’ title.

“It’s a pleasant surprise as I didn’t expect to be called up,” said June Wei.

“This is a big opportunity for me and I’m really happy to be given the chance to show what I can do on the big stage.

“The Chinese and Indonesian players will be tough opposition but I can’t wait to have a go at them.

“This being my first Asian Juniors, I’m not setting a high target because it is a competitive field. My main objective is to go there and gain experience and come back stronger next year.

“But I still want to make the last 16 at the very least because I aim to follow in the footsteps of Zulfadli Zulkifli in maybe a year or two,” said June Wei. Zulfadli won the Asian and world junior titles last year.

The more experienced Joo Ven and girls’ pair of Chow Mei Kuan-Lee Meng Yean are the main hopes of the team.

Malaysia have been drawn in Group A with tricky opponents India and Hong Kong for the team event. They will need Joo Ven to be at his best to defeat top Indian junior Sameer Verma to stand a chance of an easier quarter-final tie.

India also have the talented P.V. Sindhu, who is ranked world No. 26 in women’s singles, and that should be a certain point against the Malaysian girls of either Lim Yin Fun or Lim Chiew Sien.

If Malaysia top the group, they will probably meet Thailand in the last eight. Finishing second means a likely clash with top prospects South Korea.

Malaysia have been runners-up in the mixed team event for two years running, both times losing to China in the final.

The defending champions are placed in Group D with Japan and Vietnam while Group B comprises Taiwan, Indonesia, Singapore and Mongolia.