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BAM Worried Over Rise Of Chen Long

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 24 (Bernama) - The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) is worried with the rise of Chen Long who has become a new threat to Malaysia's chances of winning the first Olympic gold medal.

Secretary Ng Chin Chai said Chen Long has joined compatriot Lin Dan as a threat to Datuk Lee Chong Wei at London Olympics next year.

He denied that the performance of Chong Wei, the world and Malaysian number one singles player has declined.

"Chong Wei's performance has not declined but rather the performance of China number two Chen Long has improved dramatically," he told Bernama when contacted here.

Chong Wei lost 15-21, 18-21 in the Denmark Open final yesterday, his second defeat to Chen Long, China's number two and world number three singles player.

Chen Long,22, grabbed the Japan Open singles title after beating Chong Wei in the final last month.

Ng said BAM will review Chong Wei's performance and if necessary will retructure his training programme.

"We must ensure that Chong Wei's performance improves to overcome both the Chinese players (Lin Dan and Chen Long).

"We will wait for Chong Wei to return from the French Open to discuss the matter together with MSN (National Sports Council) and ISN (National Sports Institute)," he said adding BAM has no plans to change Chong Wei's coach.

Chong Wei will open his French Open campaign on Wednesday against Marc Zwiebler of Germany and is expected to meet Nguyen Thien Minh of Vietnam in the quarter-finals.

Top seed Chong Wei is expected to meet Chen Long in the semi-final and should he win, a meeting with nemesis Lin Dan (China number one) looms in the final.

Ng said BAM is still giving men's doubles pair Koo Kien Keat/Tan Boon Heong the chance to improve before July next year, in time for the Olympic Games.

Although disappointed with their defeat at Denmark Open last week, he said Koo/Tan are given time to adjust to the new training programme.

Koo/Tan have been placed under coaches Tan Kim Her and Pang Cheh Chang and will next month have a new coach in Yoo Yong-sung of South Korea.

The top doubles pair were previously coached by Indonesian Rexy Mainaky.

-- BERNAMA

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