KUALA LUMPUR – The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) is saddened and shocked by national women’s singles player Goh Jin Wei’s decision to retire but insist their plan for Paris 2024 is on track.
Just 21, Jin Wei announced her retirement today via her personal YouTube channel citing health reasons.
BAM president Tan Sri Mohd Norza Zakaria told The Vibes that he was aware of Jin Wei’s situation as soon as he returned from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
He called for a discussion on August 16 between Jin Wei, BAM secretary-general Datuk Kenny Goh and the national coaching director Wong Choong Hann.
“I knew that she wanted to retire when I came back from Tokyo, but I tried to persuade her to change her decision because she was one of the best prospects Malaysia had for a medal in Paris 2024.
“BAM even offered to get her the best doctors in the world to treat her condition and ensure that she comes back stronger. We wanted to help the same way we had with mixed doubles player Goh Liu Ying who went to Germany to sort out her shoulder injury.
“We were supposed to revisit this matter after the Thomas and Uber Cups, but I guess Jin Wei has made up her mind and we respect her decision,” he said.
Norza added that Jin Wei is struggling to cope with her condition and is unable to undergo vigorous training sessions.
Jin Wei has not fully recovered after her colon surgery in 2019 and is still undergoing treatment.
Meanwhile, Norza added, although Jin Wei’s decision will slightly disrupt BAM’s plans for Paris 2024, it is still a go as Malaysia has other women players who have the potential to win a medal there.
“We do not plan based on an individual player but rather an institution. We will never keep all the golden eggs in one basket.
“Choong Hann and the coaching team have identified some potential players and we will continue working and grooming them for Paris 2024.
“We would like to wish Jin Wei all the best in her future undertakings and are prepared to give the support she needs,” Norza said.
Jin Wei boasts a successful junior career, having won the World Junior Championships twice, in 2015 and 2018, and bagging the gold medal at the Youth Olympics Games in 2018. She also won the 2017 SEA Games gold medal. - The Vibes, September 13, 2021
