KUALA LUMPUR – There seems to be contradicting statements coming from former national women’s shuttler Goh Jin Wei as she takes to her YouTube channel to question the Badminton Association of Malaysia’s (BAM) decision to ban her from entering international tournaments for two years.
In a video posted on her YouTube channel on January 22, Jin Wei expressed her frustrations on the BAM council’s verdict, stating that they had no issues when she resigned from the national association in September of 2021.
“They had already accepted my resignation last year, and there was no objection for so long. Why is there an issue now?” she said.
Jin Wei, who was the top women shuttler prior to her abrupt retirement, now questions how she was able to register for the India Open that took place this month.
“Because I have respect for the national body, I had agreed for them to pull my name out of the tournament before I sat down with the management to discuss my plans.
“So how was I able to register for the event beforehand? It means that I have the right to play and I’m not breaching any policy,” she argued.
Jin Wei also said that BAM’s refusal to register her in any international tournament for two years would have severe effects on her.
“It will affect my livelihood. Badminton is the only skill set I know, and it is my profession. How am I going to survive then?” said Jin Wei.
She says those around her knew that she wanted to train and play at her own pace in order to monitor her health condition, which prevents her from giving 100% commitment to the intense training regime under the national association.
“I really don’t know what I’ve done wrong that caused me to be banned from international tournaments for two years despite doing my best to serve Malaysia,” she added.
Previously in a video posted by Jin Wei in September 2021, she announced her retirement from the sport, stating it was due to health concerns and inability to keep up with the rigorous training regime.
In this video, she thanked all those who have been by her side and says she would give it her all in her next endeavours as she steps away from the badminton court indefinitely.
However, only four months after making her announcement to part ways with the national association and the sport altogether, Jin Wei joined the Kuala Lumpur Racket Club (KLRC) with the hopes of training for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
When The Vibes contacted BAM, an official within the body shared a newspaper clip from a local Malay daily confirming that Jin Wei had retired from the sport and was not merely resigning from the national association.
Her suspension was announced together with fellow shuttler Lee Zii Jia’s two-year ban, which took the nation by surprise.
When The Vibes tried contacting Jin Wei and asked for specificity on the matter, she hung up.
However, BAM announced that they have received an appeal letter from Zii Jia today. – The Vibes, January 25, 2022.
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