Former national shuttlers who are part of the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) technical advisory panel could be accompanying the national team to international meets for added input.
“Let’s say we bring one or two of the panel members to the Sudirman Cup to give extra input to the team and coaches. We can do that, but not selecting the players just yet.
“They can also volunteer as team managers if they are available to do it,” said BAM president Norza Zakaria.
The seven former national players are Lee Chong Wei, Cheah Soon Kit, Ong Ewe Hock, Koo Kien Kiat, Tan Boon Heong, Roslin Hashim and Jalani Sidek.
Five of them, minus Lee and Jalani, attended the first panel meeting at the Academy Badminton Malaysia on Tuesday.
The inception of the technical advisory panel was to allow the badminton greats to give their input and guidance with the aim of enhancing players performances and producing podium finishers at multisport events such as the Olympics Games.
As of now, the panel members are allowed to give their inputs directly to both chief coaches Wong Choong Hann (singles) and Rexy Mainaky (doubles) without interfering in the players’ selections.
Among the subject matters discussed at the meeting was how to get two Malaysian representatives from each category to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics, and also to widen the talent pool in the country.
Norza also did not rule out bringing in more former shuttlers’ into the panel.
The panel members carry out their role on a voluntary basis without any payment.
