KUALA LUMPUR: Australia’s Malaysian born badminton player, Renuga Veeran admits that the despicable act of match-fixing that has surfaced recently in the sport is a very unethical act.
According to the 32-year-old player, even though she does not really follow the case involving two professional Malaysian players who are facing six charges of match-fixing, she is adamant that sport should be played and contested fairly without any negative influences.
"Imagine there’s a player who has trained very hard but then such a case happens. It has to be pointed out that not all players want easy money, the easy way,” said Renuga who will be representing Australia at the Commonwealth Games for the third time in Gold Coast next month.
She explained that many of her fellow team-mates and other Australian Badminton players and fans are also against match-fixing because it is just unethical.
"However, perhaps they feel how tough competition is in Malaysia among Badminton players there, so such a matter is indeed a serious issue that needs to be addressed. I will say no to match-fixing, as I am against it and I will not compromise nor give in to such a deplorable act.
"I play Badminton because I have a very keen interest in this sport, it is not just for the sake of money. The act of match-fixing will end up leaving those who partake in it regretting their actions for the rest of their lives,” said Renuga who advanced to the quarter-finals of the London Olympic Games in 2012.
Meanwhile, Renuga said that for the Commonwealth Games this time round, things will be a little bit different for her compared to the two previous editions of the Games, because she will be playing on home ground as Australia are hosts, even though she is a Malaysian born player.
"So far the preparations have been going well, even though I haven’t played competitively in over three years. Now that I have returned once again, I will play on court with the aim of doing my very best, even though before I always set a target of winning a medal.
"In 2010 in New Delhi, India, and in 2014 in Glasgow, Scotland, together with my partner Leanner Choo we managed to make it to the quarter-finals, though for this edition of the Games I hope the draw is favourable to us and we will do our very best to go even further this time,” she said.
When asked about Malaysia, Renuga admits that the team assembled by the BA of Malaysia (BAM) for the Games are very strong and formidable, especially with former World No 1 Lee Chong Wei in the national team.
"Malaysia will definitely win medals in badminton, as their squad for this edition of the Games are very strong with Vivian Hoo (women’s doubles) and a host of other good players ensuring that they will be among the top teams to watch out for,” said Renuga, who’s idol is former Indonesian women’s singles player Susi Susanti.