KUALA LUMPUR – As initially reported by Scoop earlier, youngster Siti Zulaikha Azmi will not be part of the Malaysian squad bound for the World Junior Championships in Nanchang, China, from September 30 to October 13.
The 18-year-old girls’ singles player, who was part of the 2023 bronze medal-winning squad, was left out by the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) after failing to recover from a posterior ankle impingement injury she sustained earlier this year.
BAM today issued a statement confirming that a total of 22 young players will compete in the mixed team (Suhandinata Cup) and individual events.
However, national junior head coach Jeffer Rosobin remains optimistic about a good showing even without Siti Zulaikha, who also clinched two bronze medals at the Asian Junior Championships in July.
“It’s unfortunate that Siti Zulaikha could not recover in time for the World Junior Championships. She is still feeling pain in her leg, and we can only wish for her to swiftly recover.
“Nonetheless, everyone else worked hard to be in this team, and we will fight until the end. I am confident in all of them,” said Jeffer, who tipped the boys’ doubles (Aaron Tai and Kang Khai Xing) to be the nation’s best bet in the individual event.
Separately, BAM acting president and Junior Task Force Chairman Datuk V. Subramaniam explained that the players chosen for the World Juniors represent the best in their respective categories.
“The BAM Junior Task Force has closely monitored these players over the last few months, both in training and during competitions.
“We discussed the selection in detail with the junior coaching team headed by Jeffer and arrived at this final list to represent our country.
“We’ve also included younger players like Low Zi Yu to provide her with valuable experience at the highest level,” said Subramaniam.
“As in previous editions, the competition will be tough and highly competitive. We hope our players will rise to the occasion and perform their best in the upcoming World Junior Championships in Nanchang, China,” said Subramaniam
For the record, the national junior team secured three bronze medals at the 2023 edition of the tournament in Spokane, United States.
The medals came from the mixed team event, boys’ doubles (Aaron and Bryan Goonting), and mixed doubles (Low Han Chen and Chong Jie Yu). – September 18, 2024