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Will Malaysian Badminton Regain the Spark by 2020 Tokyo Olympics?

By: Swetha Reddy
Date: 29 Aug, 2018
Image Courtesy: File

The recent performance from the Malaysian shuttlers at the Asian Games 2018 may be considered as the portend that the country is going down with the good performances; 32 years after 1968 Asian Games in Seoul, the Malaysian shuttlers failed to clinch a medal at the Asiad.

 

Besides, the powerhouse couldn’t pull a good performance in three other major tournaments in 2018 - failed to defend the title at the Commonwealth Games and missed out semi-finals appearance after losing in the round-of-8 at the Thomas Cup Finals.

 

27th ranked Liew Daren, the second best Malaysian shuttler, save a bit of country’s pride by winning bronze in the Men’s Singles at the World Championships last month.

 

Is this the downfall of Badminton Association of Malaysia?

 

Seems like the hope of glory at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics is going to be just a musing for Malaysia.

 

After Lee Chong Wei’s withdrawal, the Badminton Association of Malaysia lowered the medal hope to only two at the Asiad, but landed in hardship.

 

Daren made an early exit in the second round followed by Lee Zil Jia’s loss against the World No. 3 Korean Son Wan Ho in the third round. Meanwhile in the doubles, World No. 11 Goh V Shem/Tan Wee Kiong, World No. 6 Goh Soon Huat/Shevon Lai Jemie and World No. 9 Chan Peng Soon/Goh Liu Ying also ended their campaign in the early rounds despite the great fighting spirit.

 

To get back on track, nationals singles chief coach Datuk Misbun Sidek need to revise the fitness regimen and training schedules.

 

Datuk Seri Norza Zakaria, BAM president, said, “Our hopes didn’t match the target. Huge disappointment.”

 

“Inconsistency and poor finishing continue to be our problem. Our players are not strong mentally,” added Norza as quoted by The Star Online.

 

Hoping for time from the fans to fall everything in place Norza said, “I’ve asked coaching and training committee (CNT) chairman Datuk Ng Chin Chai to find a solution.”


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