THE BA of Malaysia (BAM) have started their aggressive hunt for a new Lee Chong Wei.
However, BAM president Datuk Seri Norza Zakaria said it will take more than five years to find a suitable replacement following the retirement of the former World No 1 on Thursday.
“It will take more than five years to find an ideal local player to match Chong Wei’s feats. Currently, we have a few names to work on,” said Norza, who is also the president of the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM).
“(Soong) Joo Ven and (Cheam) June Wei are among those we are looking at to bloom into top players. Both shuttlers are young and energetic, and can be built upon.”
Joo Ven is 24 while June Wei is two years younger. However, both have yet to stamp their mark in major tournaments.
Yesterday, OCM endorsed the proposal by Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Rahman to appoint Chong Wei as the chef-de-mission for next year’s Tokyo Olympic Games.
Syed Saddiq made the proposal when Chong Wei announced his retirement in Putrajaya (on Thursday).
“We have endorsed Chong Wei as chef-de-mission for the Olympics. We know he might face some difficulties in Tokyo, so we will assign officials to assist him,” added Norza after chairing OCM’s executive council meeting yesterday.