KUALA LUMPUR – Former national men’s singles player, Shaqeem Eiman Shahyar, has opted to continue his badminton career as a professional player with his former club, Kajang United Badminton Club (KUBC).
Shaqeem, 21, surprised many with his decision to resign from the national squad last month, citing that he no longer felt equipped to handle the pressures of being part of the Akademi Badminton Malaysia (ABM).
Although the coaching staff at ABM had provided him with opportunities, Shaqeem believed that charting a new path was the best course for him.
For the record, Shaqeem was once regarded as a rising star in the country’s badminton scene when he claimed the national under-18 championship in 2018 at the age of 17. The following year, he competed in the national under-21 championship and emerged as the champion.
He also delivered impressive performances at the national championship last year before falling to his teammate, Leong Jun Hao, in the final.
“I am now with Kajang United BC, where I have trained since my younger days. My relationship with the head coach, Fung Seng, is strong, and I feel very much at home here. The decision to return to my former club, both as a player and a coach, feels right.
“As for my future as a player, I will assess it as I go. If things pan out well, I may continue on this path.
“It’s tough to leave the national squad, considering the benefits and support provided, but my heart is no longer there. I believe stepping away might bring me more happiness and relieve some stress,” said Shaqeem to Scoop.
At the same time, Shaqeem holds dear the memories of his time with his national training camp teammates, who have been instrumental in his journey since joining ABM in 2019.
“My fondest memories with the national squad are the training sessions at ABM. During the MCO (movement control order), when we couldn’t venture out much, we bonded and spent most of our time together.
“These are the moments I cherish with my teammates,” he added. – March 30, 2024