KUALA LUMPUR: With names like Ng Tze Yong, Goh Jin Wei, and Leong Jun Hao in the fray, the badminton competition at the Malaysia Games this week is set to be a cracking affair.
But at what expense?
Former international Datuk James Selvaraj said while it raises the bar of the competition, he recalled that the goal of the Malaysia Games is to unearth new talents.
Speaking to Timesport today, the former BAM high performance director said: "It's a little confusing, isn't it? But since the Malaysia Games comes under the National Sports Council and the respective states, BAM will not interfere.
"I'm not saying it's a bad thing, of course it's great if you have the Commonwealth Games' gold and silver medallists in the fray.
"But what about those players who are hoping or looking for that one big break?
"Times have changed, the states are going all out to win that extra gold medal to put them up there on the medal tally."
A total of 65 players, both juniors and seniors will be released by BAM for the Malaysia Games scheduled for Sept 20-24 at the Axiata Arena. Twenty of them will only be available after the World Junior Championships selection on Friday.
Apart from world No 39 Tze Yong, and Jun Hao, the other top BAM players who will compete in the Malaysia Games include Lim Chong King, 2018 silver medallist Aidil Sholeh Ali Sadikin, top junior Justin Hoh, Jacky Kok, newly crowned Benin International champion Ong Zhen Yi, and fast rising men's doubles duo, Wan Arif Wan Junaidi-Haikal Nazri.