Malaysia has named a fairly strong squad for this year’s Pembangunan Jaya Raya Badminton Asia Junior Championships to be held in Bintaro, Jakarta from July 14-22.
The mixed team championships will be held from July 14-17 while the individual events will take place from July 18-22.
Last year Malaysia won the boys’ singles title through Leong Jun Hao and three bronze medals – in the girls’ singles through Eoon Qi Xuan, the boys’ doubles (Chia Wei Jie-Ng Tze Yon) and the mixed team.
National youth coach Kwan Yoke Meng is confident that Malaysia is still capable of coming back with honors despite the absence of big names like Jun Hao and former world junior champion Goh Jin Wei.
“This year’s squad is much younger and lacks experience but this Asian Championships could well see some of the players pulling off some surprises,” said Yoke Meng, a former Malaysia Thomas Cupper.
Qi Xuan, together with Tze Yong-Wei Jie is still with the team. Also named to the squad is Ooi Jhu Dar, runners-up in the Smiling Fish Junior International.
Leading Malaysia’s charge will be Dutch Junior Open girls’ champions Pearly Tan-Toh Ee Wei. – BY RIZAL ABDULLAH
The Malaysian team
Boys: Ng Tze Yong, Lim Chong King, Chia Wei Jie, Choong Hon Jian, Chang Yee Jun, Chua Yue Chern, Lwi Sheng Hao, Ooi Jhu Dar.
Girls: Eoon Qi Xuan, Go Pei Kee, K. Letshaana, Pearly Tan, Toh Ee Wei, Yap Ling, Eng Sin Jou, Teoh Lexuan.
