Goh Jin Wei is making a comeback to resume her career professionally as the two-time world junior champion signed with Kuala Lumpur Racquet Club (KLRC) as an independent shuttler.
KLRC manager Sairol Amar Ayob, a former national shuttler himself, said KLRC’s main aim was to get Goh, who already started training at KLRC’s base in Cheras since last week, to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
“She has signed for three years with the Olympics her main target. We are willing to invest with Goh because we feel she deserves a second chance. She is still very young and eager to fight on. So we’re here to support her,” Sairol told The Star.
The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) had recently offered the 21-year-old a chance to return to the national set-up, but the women’s singles shuttler did not accept it because she was unable to give full commitment to the national team’s requirements due to her health problems.
Goh had initially announced her shock departure from the sport in September last year citing a prolonged stomach ailment that left her consuming plenty of medication on a daily basis which affected her levels in training.
Goh’s representation on the BWF World Tour circuit would depend on approval from the national body, but Sairol doesn’t think it would be a problem despite the shuttler turning down their offer.
“It’s for the betterment of our badminton so I don’t see why they should stop or block a player [from competing],” he added.
Goh’s return to the sport is good news for the country, especially with the women’s singles department severely depleted and lacking in quality.
S. Kisona, currently the highest ranked national shuttler, struggled to establish herself even as a top 30 player, while the future of Soniia Cheah is not known after the lanky shuttler last saw action at the Tokyo Olympics.
Besides Goh, Soong Joo Ven also joined the KLRC setup.
