KUALA LUMPUR – Professional badminton coach Rosman Razak faces a daunting challenge ahead of the upcoming Badminton Asia Championships (BAC) in Ningbo, China, starting next Tuesday.
He not only seeks to reignite the spirits of his players but to also confront the looming possibility of his team losing all privileges associated with the esteemed “Road to Gold” (RTG) programme.
Ranked number 12 in the world, Teo Ee Yi and Ong Yew Sin fell short in their bid to secure a spot at the Paris Olympic Games next July.
Consequently, they are on the brink of being dropped from the RTG programme pending a committee meeting scheduled for next week.
This implies that they will no longer benefit from any assistance the programme provides – particularly the invaluable sports science support from the National Sports Institute (NSI) since their inclusion in the RTG programme in April last year.
Previously, mixed doubles pairs Shevon Lai-Goh Soon Huat and Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing were also removed from the programme last November due to their drop in the top 10 world rankings.
Rosman and his team accept whatever decisions lie ahead but admit they will keenly feel the loss after a year of substantial support.
“We’re not dwelling on it anymore, though it’s undoubtedly a setback for us considering the constraints we’ll face in this professional player camp.
“Nevertheless, we understand the realities of the sporting world. We’re grateful to NSI and the Malaysian government for their assistance.
“But from now on, we’ll have to chart our path independently.
“Running a full-fledged support team independently isn’t feasible due to the considerable costs involved.
“Honestly, as a professional team, we can’t afford the same level of support as before. So, we’ll make do with what resources we have,” Rosman told Scoop.
In the upcoming first-round match in Ningbo at the BAC, Ee Yi-Yew Sin are slated to face off against the Japanese duo Ayato Endo and Yuta Takei, who rank 57th globally.
Last year, the national professional team showcased exceptional performances at the BAC, with Ee Yi-Yew Sin clinching the silver medal and Shevon and Soon Huat securing the bronze.
“We view this championship as crucial as any other, pivotal for our rankings and current form. Despite missing out on the Paris Olympics, our determination remains unwavering.
“While it’s undoubtedly disheartening not to qualify for the Olympics, it’s all part of the sport.
“These players feel the disappointment, but such setbacks are intrinsic to the sporting journey, despite giving their all.
“As for Ee Yi-Yew Sin’s draw at the BAC, it’s challenging to predict.
“Performance on match day is paramount, given the narrow margins in the men’s doubles event. We must remain vigilant as anything can happen,” he added. – April 5, 2024