KUALA LUMPUR: The BA of Malaysia (BAM) have yet to reveal the identities of the players who will be axed from the national team.
It is learnt that men’s doubles players in Tan Chee Tean, Ameer Amri Zainuddin and Wong Wai Jun will be dropped as proposed by head coach Cheah Soon Kit.
Last week, BAM president Datuk Seri Norza Zakarian disclosed that three players will be dropped after chairing the association’s coaching and training committee meeting, but he did not reveal their identities.
BAM honorary secretary Datuk Ng Chin Chai said: "We cannot reveal names until the head coach (Soon Kit) has spoken to the affected players.”
"The decision is one for the future. Soon Kit had assessed these players and concluded that it would be hard for them to go far.
"We also considered the size of the squad before making the decision.
“With the three axed, we will still have 18 players in the doubles department.
“Furthermore, we will be holding selections soon. Some players will have to go to make way for new ones,” said Chin Chai on Monday.
The national selections will be held at the Academy Badminton Malaysia in Bukit Kiara on Feb 10-12, involving 25 players from the states and the Bukit Jalil Sports School.
Soon Kit has yet to confirm anything in regards to the downsizing, but it is understood that the three players may be offered an extension up to March to prove their worth.