KUALA LUMPUR: Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin believes it is high time for the up-and-coming shuttlers to step up to the plate, now that the BA of Malaysia (BAM) have decided to focus more on them.
Iskandar, who quit the national team last month, said things have changed over the years and younger players must step up to prove their worth when donning the national jersey.
"Since I made the decision to quit the national team, I feel free," said Iskandar at the SS Purple League press conference on Tuesday.
Iskandar, 27, admitted that leaving the national body was a tough decision, but he hopes to turn things around as a professional player by trying to qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.
"I've already registered my name for the Malaysia and Indonesia Masters next month. I hope to prove myself by improving on my ranking.
"Of course the most realistic target is to try and qualify for the Tokyo Games, so that is my main goal at the moment.
“I need to move up the rankings in the next six months to play in bigger tournaments," added Iskandar, who will train under the Petaling Badminton Club banner until he finds a sponsor.
The former national champion, is not the only notable player to quit the national squad. Rio Olympic Games silver medallists Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying dropped a bombshell by resigning recently.
On what was the reason behind these sudden departures, Iskandar, said: "I don't think it's a big problem. To be honest, BAM have made it clear that they are downsizing the national team and they want to focus more on the junior shuttlers.
"I think that is good, back when I was playing, we juniors did not get as much attention. I urge the younger players to make full use of this.
"As for me, I want to enjoy my career. I have to thank Petaling BC for supporting me. I am still training at BAM but as of next year I will need to find my own place.
"Petaling BC have been nice enough to allow me to train with them until I find a proper sponsor. My agent is working on it and I hope to secure a sponsor soon, so I can focus on my goal."
The SS Purple League will run in three stages beginning on Friday at Gem in Mall, Cyberjaya.