KUALA LUMPUR: Independent doubles players may join the hybrid training programme at the Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM) next year.
ABM chief executive officer Michelle Chai said world No 2 Lee Zii Jia is currently the only professional player training at the national training centre in Bukit Kiara.
According to Michelle, there are other players, including Kasturi Radhakrishan, who are keen to train once a week at ABM, but only Zii Jia has shown up so far.
"For now, only Zii Jia is training at ABM once a week. Apart from that one Saturday, which was an exception, Zii Jia trains at ABM on Wednesdays.
"So far, he is the only one, though Kasturi has also indicated her interest.
"As for the doubles players, perhaps they may join in 2023," said Michelle.
While there has been no confirmation, it is understood that the doubles players will join after the arrival of coach Rosman Razak, who will replace Chin Ee Hui, who has for the last couple of years handled the independent doubles players.
Among the top doubles players training outside the national setup are men's doubles Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi, world No 8 mixed doubles Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing and world No 11 Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai.
It is learnt that singles players like two-time former world junior champion Goh Jin Wei, and Soong Joo Ven, who currently train at the Sports Affairs Badminton Academy under coach Nova Armad, may join at some point.