The Table Tennis Association of Malaysia (TTAM) has expressed its disinterest in acquiring naturalised players and instead aspires to train more national players to shine bright in the international tournaments.
President of TTAM, Tan Sri Koo Yuen Kim and claimed that it would be far more beneficial for the nation to train more local players rather than buying players from foreign countries, for instance China.
“A lot of players from China are naturalised players in other countries because they have a lot of potential in them. Malaysia too can be like China,” said Koo Yuen Kim as quoted from Bernama.
“We have train more quality players to be as good as the naturalised players. Besides, to be a naturalised player, they have to be a Malaysian citizen first.”
“When we play Australia, South Africa or some European countries you’d notice at least half if not all the players are China imports,”
“We need to be responsible in developing our own players.”
Meanwhile, Malaysia will make their debut in the top division of the World Team Table Tennis Championship next year as they will be hosting the tournament from Feb 28-March 6 in the Melawati Stadium at Shah Alam.
“Malaysia will participate in the championship division for the first time,” added Koo Yuen Kim.
“We will go up against 23 of the world’s best teams.”
A total of 110 countries comprising 96 men’s and 87 women’s teams will be participating in the championship.
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