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?

Joo Ven and Darren walk out of BJSS to pursue badminton career

By RAJES PAUL

The Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) should be the platform for youngsters to fulfil their sporting ambitions but for two promising shuttlers – Soong Joo Ven and Darren Isaac Devadass – it was not the case.

Photo : Alex van Zaanen

Instead, the two walked out of BJSS, just months before their Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) exams, because they want to pursue their badminton careers.

The school wanted the two boys to compete in the Asean Schools Championships from June 28-July 6 in Indonesia instead of the more important Asian Junior Championships from June 30-July 7 in South Korea.

As the tournament dates clash, the boys asked the school, through the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM), permission to play in the Asian Junior meet. But BJSS, which come under the jurisdiction of the Education Ministry’s sports department, told the duo that they must play in the Asean meet.

Soong and Soo aiming to leave their mark at international junior meets

Promising youngsters Soong Joo Ven and Soo Teck Zhi are having grand dreams of making their mark on the international badminton stage next month.

Photo : Kennee Wong

The Selangor duo are overwhelming favourites to reach the boys’ Under-18 final in the 100Plus National Junior Circuit GP Finals.

Both were selected to represent Malaysia in the Asian Junior Championship and the Asean Schools Championship.


But it is Joo Ven who will head to the Asian Juniors while Teck Zhi will compete in the Asean Schools meet because both tournaments run simultaneously from June 30-July 7.