Former world No 1 Lee Chong Wei is determined to bridge the generation gap between players, so that Malaysia will have a better chance of winning their first ever gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Chong Wei, a three-time silver medallist at the world's greatest sporting event, was proposed by the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) to be the team manager of the Road to Gold (RTG) programme for the Paris Games.
Speaking to the press yesterday, the 41-year-old said: "I'm honoured to be given this opportunity because badminton will always be a huge part of me.
"I wasn't able to win gold at the Olympics, but that doesn't mean my dream to see Malaysia win it one day is over.
"I hope to share my experience and do what it takes to help the current batch of players achieve this.
"I'm also doing this because two of the RTG heads, YB Hannah Yeoh (Youth and Sports Minister) and Tan Sri Norza Zakaria (BAM and OCM president) are extremely hard working individuals. I cannot say no."
Chong Wei, however, noted that times have changed and it is now a challenge to motivate the newer generation of players.
"It's very different today. We cannot compare the current batch to when I was playing.
"I feel for the coaches because bridging this generation gap is such a huge challenge today. I know this because I've spoken to the coaches.
"Back when I was playing, coaches barely said anything. We knew our targets and we just got it done.
"Nowadays, a lot of communication is needed. This is where I come in, to try and help both sides communicate better," added Chong Wei who was also the 2020 Tokyo Olympics Chef de Mission.
While admitting that world No 4 Lee Zii Jia is the main men's singles under the RTG programme, there is still hope for other players to come on board.
"The main focus of the RTG is to provide our Olympic medal prospects with the best possible support.
"Yes, Zii Jia is the main men's singles player under the programme right now, but we are also monitoring the progress of Ng Tze Yong. We believe that he can make the top 16 after the one-year Olympic qualifying period, and Malaysia will have two men's singles representatives in Paris next year.
"Unlike other sports like cycling and diving that have qualifying events, badminton is slightly different because it's a whole year of events.
"It's not easy because the players will need to be motivated and consistent throughout the qualifying period to earn their spots in the Olympics."
The one-year Olympic qualifying period will start in May. A country is allowed the maximum representation of two singles players if they are in the top 16 after the qualifying period, and two pairs if they are in the top bracket.