Qualify category A or No entry in the Asiad Squad

Another season of badminton, the Indonesian Asian Games is arriving this August. The Olympic Council of Malaysia took a steadfast and unfluctuating decision of placing the women’s badminton team under category B for the Indonesian Games. For the first time in 20 years, this firm decision hinders the women shuttlers to partake in the Asian Games team event.

From the Badminton Association of Malaysia 2018 (BAM) latest updates, the president Datuk Seri Norza Zakaria will not allow the full team to play unless all the 10 players qualify the category A. In women’s doubles, the pair of Lee Meng Yean and Chow Mei kuan and in mixed doubles, Shevon Lai Jemie and Goh Liu Ying qualify the category A, abounding only in the specific events.

The upkeeping of the athletes under category B will borne by the National Sports Association while the Government will bankroll the category A. Datuk Seri Abdul Azim Mohd Zabidi, the head said, the selection criteria require the women’s team to attain a position in the top four teams in Asia which was not fulfilled by the team. The BAM’s pleading to cogitate the women’s team was denied. This is definitely a frustrating news for the Badminton Association of Malaysia in 2018.

However, the men’s team qualifies the criteria of the category A and the 10-man team comprises Lee Chong Wei, Lee Zii Jia, Leong Jun Hao, Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainu¬ddin, Tan Wee Kiong, Goh V Shem, Teo Ee Yi, Ong Yew Sin, Goh Soon Huat and Chan Peng Soon.

The same appeal, to move to the category A was also made by the men’s football, handball, kabaddi, shooting, pencak silat, para gliding, rugby seves, women speak takraw and women’s hockey but all they received was disappointment.

After the selection meeting held yesterday, 447 athletes along with 140 officials has secured their places in the Asiad team. Azim said the request of just one additional official was accepted for the category A, all the other appeals were denied. Although, several athletes, who were exiled earlier, for gymnastics, swimming, 3-on-3 basketball along with artistic swimming got the acceptance for category B. Since the OCM has not approved the jet ski for category A, it has now moved to category B.

The decision about the partaking in wind surfing and line skating will be made soon. Azim said that, previously the target of 33 medals was proposed in the previous draw (5-14-14). As compared to the Incheon Games 2014, this time a larger flock will be sent for the competition. Azim said, after paying a visit to the teams, on the next week, the official target will be revealed.