KUALA LUMPUR – Akademi Badminton Malaysia technical director Rexy Mainaky has confirmed that plans to send the country’s elite players for training abroad ahead of the Badminton Asia Championships (BAC) in Ningbo, China on March 26 have been cancelled.
This decision comes after the Hong Kong Badminton Association was unable to accommodate the national squad at its facilities, coupled with time constraints for Malaysia to secure alternative training venues.
Despite attempts to also explore training options in Macau, no response was received.
“For the BAC, we won’t have any overseas training camps due to Hong Kong’s sudden notification that another sport needs the training hall we intended to use.
“Given our time constraints, particularly after returning from the European tour, we’ve opted to cancel the initial overseas training camp,” Rexy said.
However, the Badminton Association of Malaysia remains committed to organising a second overseas training camp immediately after the conclusion of the BAC, in preparation for the Thomas and Uber Cup scheduled to be held in Chengdu, China from April 28 to May 5.
“We’re still in the process of arranging the second overseas training camp post-BAC, but the location has yet to be finalised.
“Our initial intention for the overseas training was to intensify (the players’) focus, which undoubtedly holds numerous benefits, especially with the looming Olympics,” said Rexy.
Previously, the Malaysian badminton contingent secured training facilities at Club Le Volant Airois in Aire-sur-la Lys, France, ahead of the Paris Olympics in July. – March 22, 2024