Petaling Jaya
Whether they like it or not, it is national men’s doubles shuttlers Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong’s time to deliver at the Asian Games in Indonesia.
Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) president Datuk Seri Norza Zakaria has thrown the gauntlet at V Shem-Wee Kiong to seize the moment in the absence of an ill-stricken Lee Chong Wei.
The Games starts tomorrow with a grand opening ceremony in Jakarta, Indonesia, and the badminton competition will start from Aug 19-24 at the Istora Senayan, Jakarta.
“We’ve always depended on Chong Wei. He is not around and it’s time for V Shem-Wee Kiong to finally step-up and deliver,” said Norza.
The 35-year-old Chong Wei is currently going through treatment for a respiratory-related health issue in Taiwan.
He has pulled out from the Asian Games and did not feature at last month’s World Championships in Nanjing, China.
“V Shem-Wee Kiong have come close twice in major tournaments and I hope they’ll not let this opportunity to prove themselves slip through their hands.”
The former world No. 1 were on the brink of history before going down in an agonising way in the final of the 2016 Rio Olympic Games to China’s Fu Haifeng-Zhang Nan (21-16, 11-21, 21-23).
They had the best chance at the recent world meet before losing narrowly 21-16, 15-21, 20-22 to Li Junhui-Liu Yuchen of China.
Norza is one of the duo’s biggest critics but he felt V Shem-Wee Kiong have showed good progress under the tutelage of Paulus Firman in recent times.
“Yes, I’ve been sceptical of them but I’ve seen improvement in their recent performances. I’m happy to see them coming together fine under Paulus,” said Norza.
“Without Chong Wei, I see V Shem-Wee Kiong as Malaysia’s next best bet in the team to end our long-wait for an Asiad badminton gold.
“I hope they’ll choose this big stage at Asiad to make their breakthrough,” he added.
Malaysia last won a gold through Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong in the men’s doubles at the 2006 Doha Asian Games. The other men doubles champions were Tan Yee Khan-Ng Boon Bee (1962 Jakarta and 1966 Bangkok), Boon Bee-Punch Gunalan (1970 Bangkok).
The other handful of gold medal badminton winners are Punch Gunalan (men’s singles, 1970 Bangkok); Teh Kew San-Rosalind Singha Ang (mixed doubles, 1966 Bangkok) and Boon Bee-Sylvia Ng (mixed doubles, 1970 Bangkok).
Besides V Shem-Wee Kiong, the others in the 10-man squad are Liew Daren, Lee Zii Jia, Leong Jun Hao, Soong Joo Ven, Ong Yew Sin, Teo Ee Yi, Chan Peng Soon and Goh Soon Huat.
Malaysia will only be represented in the women’s individual events through Lee Meng Yean-Chow Mei Kuan (women’s doubles) and two mixed doubles events involving Goh Liu Ying (with Peng Soon) and Shevon Lai Jemie (with Soon Huat).
