Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) will be dropping players who fail to impress after the end of 2016 Rio Olympic Games.
Deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Norza Zakaria insisted that the evaluation of all the players will be carried out in detail before any action is taken, to make way for other deserving young talents.
He added that there has been players who have failed to dish out their expected performances, and they have been warned about fixing their weak points before the evaluation.
“After the Olympics we will look into the performances of our national shuttlers, which will decide whether or not they stay or they go. This is to provide chances for other young players who are more energized and enthusiastic to get in the team.”
“For example, in the men singles category, action will be taken after the Olympic Games because we still want sparring partners for players like Lee Chong Wei,” said Norza, as quoted by Utusan.
BAM also claimed that only the players who impress will be sent out to collect points in order for them to qualify for next year’s Olympics.
“Take Chong Wei for instance, he has the best chance to get a medal, but still needs to be strengthened and prepared well. We are also looking into the doubles category.”
Meanwhile, BAM technical director Morten Frost stated that all players under the body have to start focusing well in their performances, if they want to stay with BAM.
“All I can say is no one is safe at the moment. We will be analyzing their performances from all aspects.”
WHAT DO WE THINK?
BAM is doing the right thing here. There are too many players who live off their past glory and needs to be given the boot if they do not keep up to their expectations. The Olympics Games is the perfect stage to impress and the players under BAM have one last shot before they are put under the spotlight. Waiting in the stands are many young players, who needs to be given a fair chance considering what they have achieved in recent times.
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