Kalua Lumpur (VNA) – Without stars, whether Malaysia’sbadminton team can retain their men’s singles and doubles titles at thecoming 31st SEA Games in Vietnam remains in doubt, and theyare pinning hopes on young shuttlers.
Local media cited coach K. Yogendran ofthe national men's singles as saying that his young shuttlers have the pedigreeto return with medals from Hanoi, but does not want to commit on whether theycan retain Malaysia's titles.
The BadmintonAssociation of Malaysia have picked a young team for the 31st SEA Games asseniors like world No 7 Lee Zii Jia and Tokyo Olympic bronze medallists AaronChia -Soh Wooi Yik will be competing in the Thomas Cup in Thailand.
Whileadmitting that it will be a tall order to defend the men's singles and doublestitles from three years ago in the Philippines, Yogendran pointed out thatnothing is impossible.
For the singles event, Malaysia willbe banking on 22-year-old Lim Chong King, Lee Shun Yang, 21; Jacky Kok, 20; andJustin Hoh, 18.
Yogendran said he believes they have a balanced squad ofyoungsters, who have been training really hard and have been in good form oflate, adding he is confident that their players will spring some surprises inVietnam.
The 31st SEA Games will take place in Hanoi and 11nearby localities in Vietnam from May 12 to 23, featuring 40 sports with 526categories./.
Local media cited coach K. Yogendran ofthe national men's singles as saying that his young shuttlers have the pedigreeto return with medals from Hanoi, but does not want to commit on whether theycan retain Malaysia's titles.
The BadmintonAssociation of Malaysia have picked a young team for the 31st SEA Games asseniors like world No 7 Lee Zii Jia and Tokyo Olympic bronze medallists AaronChia -Soh Wooi Yik will be competing in the Thomas Cup in Thailand.
Whileadmitting that it will be a tall order to defend the men's singles and doublestitles from three years ago in the Philippines, Yogendran pointed out thatnothing is impossible.
For the singles event, Malaysia willbe banking on 22-year-old Lim Chong King, Lee Shun Yang, 21; Jacky Kok, 20; andJustin Hoh, 18.
Yogendran said he believes they have a balanced squad ofyoungsters, who have been training really hard and have been in good form oflate, adding he is confident that their players will spring some surprises inVietnam.
The 31st SEA Games will take place in Hanoi and 11nearby localities in Vietnam from May 12 to 23, featuring 40 sports with 526categories./.
VNA
