Chong Wei urges axed shuttlers to stay optimistic ahead of Olympics

Lee Chong Wei urged recently dropped national shuttlers to move on and focus on making the Tokyo Olympics cut, despite the challenges faced to secure enough funding to play in tournaments.

The former world number one said he understood the frustration of his former national team-mates, but believed they could bounce back stronger.

“Most of these players have been with the national body more than five years, some even more than 10. They have worked hard, some have come through injuries and some had to balance between studies and sport. There have been sacrifices,” Lee told The Star.

“I know these players are upset, because they were not prepared but there are options out there. There are several seniors who are already doing well as professionals. I hope these players will get the support they need to qualify for the Olympics.”

The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) had on Sunday made a big move to drop Soniia Cheah, Vivian Hoo, Goh Soon Huat, Lai Pei Jing and Shevon Lai due to their unsatisfactory performances at the just concluded Asian Tour in Bangkok.

Four of them are very much in the running to make the Olympics cut.

Cheah is almost assured of a place by virtue of being the highest ranked Malaysian women’s singles, while Shevon and Goh are the second highest ranked national pair in 11th place in the mixed doubles.

Lai, with partner Tan Kian Meng are ranked 13th.

Each country can have two representatives in each event at the Tokyo Olympics, provided they are in the top eight at the end of the qualifying period in May.