Make it count: Leong Jun Hao (right) going through the drills with Wong Choong Hann. — AZMAN GHANI/The Star
PETALING JAYA: Wong Choong Hann has called on national men’ singles shuttlers Leong Jun Hao and Justin Hoh to prove themselves in the SEA Games in Cambodia from May 5-17.
The singles coaching director has placed his faith in both world No. 67 Jun Hao and world No. 84 Justin, who will lead the charge for medals in the biennial Games.
“Jun Hao, who is one of our senior players, and Justin need to make full use of this opportunity and prove themselves.
“They might face a strong challenge as countries such as Thailand, Indonesia and Singapore could send some of their best players but I want them to rise to the occasion.
“The other countries have not named their squads yet but we are aiming for at least a silver medal in the individual event, regardless of who our players face,” said Choong Hann.
Ong Ken Yon (No. 121) and Lee Shun Yang (No. 125) are the other two men’s singles players named in the squad.
Justin, Ken Yon and Shun Yang were all part of the team in last year’s edition in Hanoi but only the latter two saw action while Justin did not get to compete.
The men’s team finished with a silver in the team event in Hanoi while Shun Yang and another shuttler Jacky Kok did not get past the early rounds in the individual event.
Meanwhile, Tan Zhing Yi (No. 107), Siti Nurshuhaini Azman (No. 193), Wong Ling Ching (No. 156) and Ong Xin Yee (No. 419) will carry the country’s challenge in the women’s singles.
Doubles coaching director Rexy Mainaky has also elected to field an inexperienced line-up in the doubles events featuring Goh Boon Sze, Beh Chun Meng, Chia Weijie, Liew Xun, Cheng Su Hui, Cheng Su Yin, Valeree Siow, Low Yeen Yuan, Lee Xin Jie, Choong Hon Jian, Yap Ling and Yap Roy King.
“We are selecting young players who are all around 20 years old as we believe it’s time to be bold and to give them a good exposure.
“We need to start preparing them from now for bigger tests that lie ahead.”
Rexy said they were only targeting silver and bronze medals for now as they needed to be realistic about their chances.
Of course the Indonesian and Thai players are quite good, but we have to avoid not giving confidence to the young teams because if not, when will they get a chance to play,” he said.
