KUALA LUMPUR – Despite having won a men’s singles silver medal at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, Malaysian badminton player Ng Tze Yong is turning his attention to the 20th Malaysia Games (Sukma) held from September 16 to 24.
Given the fact that Sukma has been a platform to unearth new talents, especially among young sportsmen and sportswomen, the decision by the shuttler, who is ranked 39 in the world, is by no means a backward move.
Speaking to The Vibes, Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) singles coaching director Wong Choong Hann said that Tze Yong’s participation can instead create a healthy competition ground for players in the national competition.
We (BAM) believe it is a healthy competition ground for all youngsters where they will slug it out for the top spot.
“I believe it will also be interesting for Tze Yong, where he will be targeted by others, seeing how he made us proud at the Commonwealth (Games),” said Choong Hann.
With Tze Yong’s status, he is most likely to be seeded first and is set to see a few strong contenders, such as Leong Jun Hao, Aidil Sholeh Ali Sadikin, and Jacky Kok.
Choong Hann added that the 22-year-old shuttler’s sudden burst in high performance only came in later in the last two months.
His participation under the Johor team for Sukma, on the other hand, was confirmed much earlier.
Choong Hann also said that it was Tze Yong’s obligation and honour to play for his home state.
“They have invested in him since young,” he said.
“Tze Yong could have had the chance to participate in the 20th Sukma when he was 20 years old.
“But it got delayed because of the Covid-19 pandemic,” said Choong Hann.
Tze Yong became eligible to compete at the Sukma Games after the organisers decided to raise the age limit to 23 from 21 and below, as athletes had begun making preparations long before the pandemic struck in early 2020. – The Vibes, September 12, 2022
