KUALA LUMPUR: Seniors Wong Mew Choo and Chin Eei Hui-Wong Pei Tty may be called up to strengthen the women's badminton team for the SEA Games.
While there will be no change to the composition of players in the men's team, the National Sports Council (NSC) director general, Datuk Zolkples Embong, wants the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) to consider having the top women's singles player and the top pair in the squad.
The BAM had decided earlier to form their teams for the Games with players from the 2010-2012 Project squad and the Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS).
Zolkples said the senior men's shuttlers were exempted from the SEA Games this time because their priority was the Beijing Olympics next year.
“We want them not only to qualify but we are also counting on them to win medals,” he said.
“As for the women, it is harder for them to win (Olympic) medals and there is less expectations. The chances are higher for them to do well in the team event of the SEA Games with the seniors in the side.”
Project coach Rashid Sidek is expected to lead the teams to Korat.
“The coaching and training committee will have to decide on this before the deadline on Oct 8,” said Rashid.
The men's team have the weakest of the senior shuttlers – singles player Kuan Beng Hong and the pair of Gan Teik Chai-Lin Woon Fui.
Besides Beng Hong, Tan Chun Seang, Chan Kwong Beng and national junior champion Arif Latif look set to take up the singles slots in the 10-member strong men's squad.
The second doubles pair are Chan Peng Soon-Chan Hun Pin and Arif's regular doubles partner, Vountus Indra Mawan, is expected to get the nod too. Mixed doubles player Tan Wee Kiong will also be in the team.
Julia Wong, Lydia Cheah and Anita Kaur are already confirmed as the singles players of the women's squad.
