Monday October 2, 2006

PETALING JAYA: Chief coach Rashid Sidek’s request for his Project 2010-12 players to compete in major Open tournaments has finally been approved after several failed attempts.

For a start, the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM), who want their juniors to step up to the fore, have named two singles players – Beryno Wong Jiann Tze (pic) and Tan Chun Seang – for the China Open in Guangzhou (Oct 17-22).

Besides competing in the Singapore and Thailand Opens, the China Open is the biggest competitive tournaments for the juniors.

The 20-year-old Beryno was picked for his good showing in the Malaysian Open this year when he went down fighting to Lin Dan of China in the third round while Chun Seang is the highest ranked player among the juniors – 111th in the world.

Chun Seang’s participation, however, depends on how quickly he can recover from a muscle tear in his left hand, an injury he picked up during training last week. Rashid will name a replacement if he cannot make it.

Rashid expects the players to benefit from the exposure of playing in the China Open.

“The BAM have approved only two but it is still a good start for my players,” said Rashid.

“If we do not start now, it will be difficult for us to narrow the gap between the juniors and seniors in the team.

“Previously, the juniors could not go for Open tournaments because of budget constraints and could only play in the satellite tournaments. But this group of players are being geared for the 2012 Olympic Games and they need more challenging competitions.

“This opportunity will help the players to be more daring on court. They will get used to playing against stronger opponents. With more exposure at the highest level, it will turn them into ‘thinking’ players eventually.”

Beryno, who was promoted from the state training centre in Sabah last year, was ecstatic.

“I am glad that BAM are sending us out for big tournaments. Playing in China, where the best players in the world are produced, will indeed be a good experience for me,” said Beryno.

“I will be more than satisfied if I can give my opponents a run for their money,” added the 2003 Under-18 National Grand Prix Final’s runner-up.

The BAM are sending the Asian Games-bound players to both the back-to-back Japan and China Opens.

THE SQUADS

JAPAN OPEN (Oct 10-15)

Men’s singles: Lee Chong Wei, Mohd Hafiz Hashim, Mohd Roslin Hashim, Kuan Beng Hong, Yeoh Kay Bin, Pei Wee Chung.

Men’s doubles: Mohd Zakry Abdul Latif-Gan Teik Chai, Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong.

Women’s singles: Wong Mew Choo, M. Sutheaswari.

Women’s doubles: Wong Pei Tty-Chin Eei Hui, Ooi Sock Ai-Mooi Hing Yau, Lim Pek Siah-Joanne Quay Swee Ling.

Mixed doubles: Kien Keat-Pei Tty.

CHINA OPEN (Oct 17-22)

Men’s singles: Mohd Hafiz Hashim, Kuan Beng Hong, Yeoh Kay Bin, Pei Wee Chung, Beryno Wong Jiann Tze, Tan Chun Seang.

Men’s doubles: Koo Kien Keat-Chan Chong Ming, Choong Tan Fook-Lee Wan Wah, Mohd Zakry Abdul Latif-Gan Teik Chai, Hoon Thien How-Tan Boon Heong, Chew Choon Eng-Hong Chieng Hun.

Women’s singles: Wong Mew Choo, Julia Wong.

Women’s doubles: Wong Pei Tty-Chin Eei Hui, Ooi Sock Ai-Mooi Hing Yau.

Mixed doubles: Kien Keat-Pei Tty.