PETALING JAYA: Women’s singles shuttler Goh Jin Wei (pic) is not a quitter.
Although she will be without coach Nova Armada for her first Olympic Games campaign in Paris, she is refusing to let the setback distract her from living out her dream.
Two years ago, Jin Wei was not even close to qualifying for the Games as she was struggling with her form after slowly making a comeback from her stomach ailment.
But in less than a month, the five- feet-two shuttler will be standing tall in Paris.
While she has to deal with the headache of playing in the Olympics without her own coach, Jin Wei believes in herself.
“I don’t think it will have a significant impact on me, it won’t shake my focus in training,” said Jin Wei.
“I will keep fighting for what I want to achieve,” she said.
Jin Wei added that she will see if there’s a possibility that she could join in for post-match reviews with professional men’s singles shuttler Lee Zii Jia or seek Badminton Association of Malaysia’s advice in Paris.
The 24-year-old did try her best to get Nova to tag along to Paris, but the Indonesian coach was unable to get accreditation due to the limited passes available.
“I’m forced to accept it, I think I have the right to fight for what I deserve,” said Jin Wei when met at the Tiga Saga Li-Ning Badminton Tournament launch at Sentosa Sports Arena yesterday.
Her response comes after Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh clarified that Nova had already committed to coaching para shuttlers Cheah Liek Hou and Fareez Anuar for the Paralympics.
Fortunately, Jin Wei was thrown a lifeline when Paris Olympics chef de mission (CDM) Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin confirmed that BAM’s coaching director Rexy Mainaky would guide her in Paris.
Somewhat relieved, Jin Wei knows it won’t be easy for her at the Games but Rexy brings with him a wealth of knowledge.
“It’s tough to go to court without your own coach but I just have to accept and adapt to this,” she said.
“Coach Rexy is very experienced and is an Olympic champion himself, I’m thankful for his help.
“But for me, it would have been better to have my own coach because he has been guiding me every day,” she said.
This will be Jin Wei’s first time being under the guidance of Rexy.
Meanwhile, the Tiga Saga Li-Ning Badminton Tournament is set to begin on Aug 17 with the grand finale taking place at Sunway Velocity Mall on Sept 11 and 12.
The three-on-three tournament will offer RM50,000 in total prizes, with the open category champions at the finals winning RM10,000 cash and RM12,000 worth of products.
