KUALA LUMPUR: Though the final name list for the Road to Gold (RTG) programme has not been released, badminton doubles Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik have already started their special programme.
"We have discussed this with Michelle (Chai, CEO of Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM).
"We understand that the final name list is not out yet, but from our discussion with Michelle, our programme is already ongoing," said Aaron after training at the ABM today.
"I believe we will be having more discussions to be very clear on the terms and conditions of the programme."
Aaron, who bagged the World Championships crown last year with Wooi Yik, said support for the RTG athletes must be specific and targeted.
"What we really need is the support service staff to follow us, our coaches to guide us, and from the physical side of things, our fitness coaches to fully look after us," he added.
Following a poor run this season, Aaron-Wooi Yik have vowed to bounce back before the start of the one-year Olympic qualifying period in May. Aaron aims to shine at the Badminton Asia Championships (BAC) in Dubai on April 25-30.
"Our results from the recent European leg were simply not good enough... not making any excuses but I really think it's important we lose now than to lose later when the qualifiers start.
"We need to wake up and figure out overall what needs to be done.
"The BAC is a Super 1000 event and it's important we do well to earn proper ranking points going into the Olympic qualifying period," said Aaron.
After a rough start to the season, Aaron-Wooi Yik seemed to have got things under control when they made the India Open final in January.
However, things started going south from there, and the world No 2 duo suffered three back-to-back early exits at the German Open, All England and Swiss Open last month.
"Honestly, it's impossible to win all the time, but we should at least be more consistent. We have been struggling with consistency for a couple of years now.
"It really shouldn't be an excuse.
Look at Indonesia's Marcus (Fernaldi Gideon) and Kevin (Sanjaya Sukamuljo). They went on to win 10-11 titles in one season.
"I'm not saying everyone should be like them, because everyone is different, but our biggest problem right now is consistency.
"We have been discussing with our coaches to see what we're lacking. We need to figure out what we're doing wrong which is contributing to our inconsistency," added Aaron.