KUALA LUMPUR: The top ranked Malaysian pair of Choong Tan Fook-Lee Wan Wah can breathe easy and look forward to making their third appearance in Olympics.
The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) president, Datuk Mohd Nadzmi Salleh, announced yesterday that the veteran pair and Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong would be the two Malaysian entries for the men's doubles competition in Beijing in August.
The BAM had contemplated dropping the world number four after Wan Wah sustained a shoulder injury during the Thomas Cup Finals in Jakarta two weeks ago.
Mohd Fairuzizuan Mohd Tazari and Mohd Zakry Latif could also be considered for selection because they were also among the top 16 pairs at the end of the qualifying period last month.
Olympic bound: Lee Wan Wah (right) and Choong Tan Fook were selected by BAM to represent the country in Beijing Olympic Games. Today is the deadline for Olympics entries and Nadzmi said that the coaches unanimously decided that the top two ranked pairs be fielded.
“We looked at the medical report given by the National Sports Institute on the players. In Wan Wah's case, he did not suffer any injury that would have affected his preparations towards Beijing. There is no reason for not being able to go to the Olympics.
“We had promised a year ago that the best ranked pairs at the end of the qualifying period would get to go. I hope that these two pairs would strive to get ready in the two-and-a-half month period before the Olympics.”
On the BAM's target, Nadzmi said that they would settle for nothing less than a medal.
“We have genuine contenders in the singles and doubles. Lee Chong Wei has been playing well and if he keeps up his form, he is good for the gold,” he said.
“Our doubles pair, Koo-Tan, are also contenders if they can regain their old form. Wan Wah-Tan Fook have the experience and they may be more motivated now to give their best in probably their last Olympic appearance.”
As the top Malaysian pair set to be seeded fourth in the Olympics, Wan Wah pledged that they would gave give their best to live up to expectations in Beijing.
“I'm relieved that the trust has been given to the seniors to be in the squad for Beijing,” he said.
“The BAM made the promise to sent the top two pairs at the start of the qualification period one year ago. We set our minds to qualify and we are now the top ranked Malaysian pair. We were the best in the world championships last year (semi-finalists) and we have been consistent this year.
“I hope that those who are not going will chip in to help those selected in their preparations. We will put more focus and sit down with the coaches and trainers to discuss how we are going to prepare ourselves.”
The other Malaysian entries for the Olympics are Wong Choong Hann (men's singles), Wong Mew Choo (women's singles) and Wong Pei Tty-Chin Eei Hui (women's doubles).
The Star
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