Badminton

Smashing news from Sports Ministry for independent shuttlers

KUALA LUMPUR: All independent shuttlers deemed as Paris Olympics medal contenders are assured of government's backing.

That was the assurance from Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh today.

She promised that the government will support these shuttlers under the soon-to-be-launched "Road to Gold" campaign even though they are not part of the national team.

Yeoh was responding to her recent meeting with world No 4 Lee Zii Jia, which was much discussed in social media.

Yeoh said she did not only meet up with Zii Jia, but also with the other professional shuttlers to hear them out.

"It wasn't just with Zii Jia, I had also met up with the other independent shuttlers as well to learn about the challenges and predicaments faced by them," said Yeoh after visiting the Academy Badminton Malaysia today.

"But to deal with these problems, I won't be able to solve them on my own. I will have to discuss this with both NSC and BAM.

"But for the 'Road to Gold' preparations, we can promise that the government will back every single athlete with the huge potential to win a medal at the Olympics.

"In what form of support, we will announce in due course."

Yeoh's assurance will come as a relief to the independent shuttlers who are seen to be the front-runners in the race for the Paris 2024 qualification spots.

Besides Zii Jia, the other professionals ranked in the world top 10 are Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi (No 8 in men's doubles), as well as mixed doubles pairs Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing (No 6) and Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie (No 7).

Two years ago, Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying became the first independent players to qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Games.

Even then, Peng Soon-Liu Ying lamented the lack of support especially when it comes to support services, for instance free access to the National Sports Institute.

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