KUALA LUMPUR – As the Paris 2024 Olympic Games qualification draws nearer, starting May 1, more work needs to be done by badminton players that aspire to compete at the quadrennial international multisport event.
For Malaysia, the hope for men’s singles shuttlers to do well during the one-year qualification period rests on Akademi Badminton Malaysia’s (ABM) rising star Ng Tze Yong, apart from independent player Lee Zii Jia.
One of the world’s greatest badminton shuttlers, Datuk Lee Chong Wei puts high hope on 22-year-old Tze Yong, whom he praised for having the potential to achieve the top 16 rankings after the qualifying period.
“Although Tze Yong is young, he is tough. I hope he can qualify for the Olympics, as every athlete’s dream is to compete.
“But he has to put in the work,” said Chong Wei when met after the unveiling of his wax figure from Madame Tussauds Hong Kong, here, yesterday.
Chong Wei became the second Malaysian icon to be commissioned a wax figure by Madame Tussauds after actress Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh.
The badminton legend, who is also one of the members of the ABM technical advisory panel (TAP), shared he will do his best to guide the Johor-born world number 28 shuttler.
“With TAP, I hope to share my experience and knowledge from my career with Tze Yong.
“The Olympics waits for no one. If Tze Yong is not qualified in the world’s top 16 (ranking), he cannot go to the 2024 edition.
“Does he want to wait for another four years? I think he should not risk that because anything could happen in the meantime.”
When speaking of his role in TAP, triple Olympic silver medallist Chong Wei said he is optimistic that TAP can help the current generation of shuttlers improve their performance.
However, he cautioned the suggestions shared by TAP would only be effective if the players are clear about their goals. – The Vibes, March 4, 2023
