THE sporting type that they are, the BA of Malaysia (BAM) won’t be spiteful to the players who have left them.
This was the assurance given by BAM coaching director Wong Choong Hann after several head coaches were said to be not in favour of having “outside players” for the Sea Games.
“Outside players” are those who have left the national association to become independent players.
Among them are Olympic men’s silver medallists Tan Wee Kiong-Goh V Shem, Olympic mixed doubles silver medallists and World Championship bronze medallist Liew Daren.
Former World No 1 Choong Hann said: “I see no issue including independent players in our long list as this has been BAM’s practice.
“However, whether they make the final list or not is a different story.”
Choong Hann said nothing has been cast in stone as the long list of 44 players submitted to the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) will be trimmed down to 20 this week.
On the “unforgiving stand” by the several head coaches, Choong Hann said: “I have not heard anything so far. In fact, every head coach knows how we (BAM) go about things and the names that are in the long list.
The coaches feel that the players of repute have failed to shine and neither have the results to back up their performances since walking out on BAM.
Despite his assurance to the indeepedent players, Choong Hann said BAM’s “own shuttlers” will not be deprived of places in the national team for the Sea Games.
He said places in the Sea Games team will be given to BAM shuttlers and independent players based on merit.
“The players will be selected based on their performance in the last few tournaments. So, it’s still very much open.
“But having said that, we also want to look at the future. This (Sea Games) is the best chance for us to allow our younger players to gain valuable experience and exposure.
“I believe everything is clear. Of course, we want to go to the Sea Games to do well.
“If we do not equal our previous achievement (1 gold 5 silver 2 bronze), we want to do better.
Choong Haan said the final list for the Sea Games should be confirmed by this week, as the closing date for entries is Aug 15.
“We will do it before our team depart for the World Championships (Basel).”