Malaysia : Put the athletes first

Two promising shuttlers quit BJSS to pursue their badminton dream. What a needless decision – if only the powers that be think of the athletes’ interests rather than self glory.

IT was a sad day when young Soong Joo Vern and Darren Isaac Devadass packed their bags and left the Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) to pursue their badminton ambitions.

Did we miss something here? Isn’t the BJSS supposedly the custodian of aspiring sportsmen and sportswomen? There to provide talented students with the best of both worlds – excellence in studies and sports. So what went wrong?

Time running out for doubles pair Kien Keat-Boon Heong

By KNG ZHENG GUAN

Beleaguered men’s doubles pair Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong failed their test at the Indonesian Open last week and time is now running out for the pair ahead of the London Olympics.

Photo : Kennee Wong

Kien Keat-Boon Heong, who have been touted as medal hopefuls, have had a terrible run of form, losing to lower ranked pairs and crashing out in the early rounds of the Korean Open, Malaysian Open and the All-England this year.

They made it to the last four in Jakarta but apart from a tricky opening game against Indonesian youngsters Angga Pratama-Ryan Agung Saputra, the pair were barely tested in the second round and quarter-finals.

Chong Wei admits concern over slow recovery process

By S. RAMAGURU


He is the nation’s great hope for a first ever Olympic gold medal but life has not been the same for badminton champion Lee Chong Wei since the unfortunate ankle injury he sustained at the Thomas Cup Finals in China last month.

Photo : Yonex

But Chong Wei is not one to throw in the towel without a fight. And, for the first time since the injury, he has spoken about his determination to prevail despite the pain and uncertainty he faces in the weeks ahead of the London Games. He said the first task was to get back on his feet and start the rigorous training. But he admitted that the slow pace of the recovery is causing him endless worries.

Joo Ven and Yin Fun are tops

SELANGOR'S Soong Joo Ven and Lim Yin Fun of Kuala Lumpur justified their seeding and secured the boys' and girls' Under-18 titles respectively in the 100PLUS National Junior Badminton Grand Finals at Juara Stadium yesterday.

Joo Ven (left) & Teck Zhi. Photo : Alex van Zaanen

Joo Ven, who beat Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) rival Soo Teck Zhi 27-25, 15-21, 21-13, will also be vying for honours in the Asian Junior Championships in Gimcheon, South Korea (June 30-July 7) and the Malaysia Games (July 7-16) in Kuantan.

"I now have one title in the bag and I hope to win two more by the middle of July," said a delighted Joo Ven.

Joo Ven is also eligible to play in the Asian Juniors next year but the bigger goal would be to go for the World Junior title in the next two years before he breaks into the senior scene.