SHAH ALAM – Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) president Tan Sri Mohamad Norza Zakaria lauded national men’s singles player Leong Jun Hao as a pivotal figure in Malaysia’s 2024 Badminton Asia Team Championships (BATC) campaign, describing him as “a revelation”.
Jun Hao’s remarkable consistency was evident throughout the tournament, having participated in every match from the group stage to the final.
The 24-year-old shuttler secured victories against Brunei, Kazakhstan, Chinese Taipei, and Singapore, with only two losses to Japan and China.
Despite Malaysia’s 0-3 loss to China in the final, Jun Hao showcased his prowess against world number 16 Weng Hong Yang, putting up a spirited fight in a 51-minute match that ended with a score of 19-21, 17-21.
Norza expressed confidence in Jun Hao’s potential, foreseeing him as a valuable asset for the national team in future prestigious tournaments like the Commonwealth Games.
He highlighted Jun Hao’s crucial role, especially during times when key players like Ng Tze Yong and Lee Zii Jia faced injury setbacks.
“Jun Hao has been one of the most consistent players for the team, and he has displayed some really good performances whenever the team needed him the most.
“He has been a revelation, especially when the team was undergoing some injury issues with Tze Yong and Zii Jia’s health conditions.
“He will be a great prospect for us in the future, where he can be the third singles player in several prestigious tournaments like the Commonwealth Games,” he said during the prize-giving ceremony at Setia City Convention Centre.
In addition to Jun Hao’s contributions, Norza commended other players such as men’s doubles pairs Aaron Chia-Wooi Yik and Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin for their outstanding performances and dedication to representing the country.
“I’m proud of the men’s team for making it to the final for the third time in a row in this tournament. The players gave their everything to reach the final, which is already a great achievement.
“We defeated Chinese Taipei and Singapore, and our biggest win was against Japan in the semi-finals. I’m also glad that we reached the Thomas Cup by merit.
“I hope that we can give a good fight with the powerhouses and bring back the prestigious trophy home,” he added.
Looking ahead, Norza urged national badminton coaching director Rexy Mainaky to capitalise on the team’s momentum for the upcoming Thomas Cup in China.
He stressed the importance of thorough analysis and strategic planning to form a formidable team for the tournament.
Additionally, Norza emphasised the significance of the Road to Gold (RTG) programme in nurturing future talents and preparing them for international competitions, including the Paris Olympics.
He encouraged RTG athletes to devise comprehensive plans to enhance their performance and strive for success on the global stage.
At the BATC which concluded last night, Malaysia failed to defend their title after giving away three points to China.
The setback, however, did not overshadow Malaysia’s qualification for the forthcoming Thomas Cup finals in China from April 28 to May 5 as a top-four team in the BATC.
Tze Yong, Aaron-Wooi Yik, Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi, Pearly Tan-M Thinaah, and Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei are part of the current RTG programme. – February 19, 2024