KUALA LUMPUR: The planned training camp for Olympic-bound shuttlers, under the Road to Gold (RTG) programme, in Hong Kong on March 26-April 6 has been called off.
The decision comes after the venue chosen by the BA of Malaysia (BAM) for the camp became unavailable due to its hosting of another sporting event during that period.
The first camp in Hong Kong was intended to prepare the shuttlers for the Asia Championships in Ningbo, China, on April 9-14.
As announced by the RTG committee on March 1, three centralised training camps were planned, with the latter two to be held before the Thomas and Uber Cup Finals on April 15-24 and in Aire Sur La Lys, France, on July 10-20.
BAM coach director Rexy Mainaky said they had no time to change the venue at such short notice due to their busy tournament schedule in Europe.
"We were informed by the management in Hong Kong that the hall for our camp has been booked for another sporting event at that time," said Rexy.
"Given our recent busy tournament schedule in Europe, we simply didn't have enough time to adjust our plans. However, this cancellation will not disrupt our preparations at all; it's business as usual at the Academy Badminton Malaysia.
"We will now focus on planning the next camp, which will precede the Thomas and Uber Cup Finals.
Rexy emphasised that these early training camps were essential for coaches to assess the players' receptiveness to the planned programme.
Presently, six shuttlers have virtually assured their spots in the Paris Olympics. They are Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik (men's doubles), Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah (women's doubles), and Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei (mixed doubles).
The other three RTG members are Ng Tze Yong (men's singles) and Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi (men's doubles).
While the doors are already closed for Yew Sin-Ee Yi, Tze Yong still has a mathematical chance of qualifying. He currently sits just one spot adrift of the top 16 in the Race to Paris.