KUALA LUMPUR – With the conclusion of Tokyo 2020 Olympics, the BA of Malaysia (BAM) is targeting to have a stronger line-up for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
BAM president Tan Sri Norza Zakaria told The Vibes that the present young players like Lee Zii Jia, Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, Goh Jin Wei, S. Kisona and Chow Mei Kuan-Lee Meng Yean will be the ones to watch in Paris.
“BAM started preparing these players few years ago and by the time Paris comes, they will be strong and matured. We could see one of them deliver the gold medal for Malaysia.
“Zii Jia did well in Tokyo and unfortunately for him, he had an uphill task against an experience Chen Long. It was his first Olympic outing and a strong performance like that will make him stronger in Paris."
Norza added that national women’s singles Jin Wei and Kisona failed to make the trip to Tokyo because of their low rankings but they are getting stronger by the day and doing well in training, which should help them make the cut to Paris.
“Jin Wei and Kisona are fighters and have the right mentality. I am confident they can make the next Olympics,” he said.
Meanwhile in Tokyo, Aaron-Wooi Yik beat all the odds to win the bronze medal, which was unexpected as there were stronger pairs from Indonesia, Japan, and Denmark.
“They fought hard and well and deserve the third place, and I know they can only get better.
“My aim is to make sure we have a strong pool of quality players. I want to bring back the glory days of the early 90’s where we had a strong crop of players like the Sidek brothers, Cheah Soon Kit, Yap Kim Hock, Soo Beng Kiang and Ong Ewe Hock.
“I want Malaysia to be a force in the badminton scene once again in all categories. I want top players in the men’s singles, men’s doubles, women’s singles, women’s doubles and the mixed doubles," said Norza.
Malaysian badminton has always delivered in the Olympics since Barcelona 1992, when doubles ace Razif Sidek-Jalani Sidek won the bronze medal. However, in Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004, the sport failed to deliver a medal.
The most successful player to date at the Olympics is Datuk Lee Chong Wei. He bagged silver medals in Beijing 2008, London 2012, and Rio 2016. – The Vibes August 9, 2021
