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BADMINTON: Lost cause, says Zolkples

NO HUNGER: Kien Keat-Boon Heongdon't have winning mentality

NATIONAL Sports Council (NSC) director-general Datuk Seri Zolkples Embong is disappointed with the BA of Malaysia's (BAM) decision to retain Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong as a pair for another year despite them being past their prime.

Zolkples was expecting the BAM executive committee (exco), which met on Wednesday, to be ready to move forward and approve the proposal of the two new combinations of Tan Boon Heong-Goh V Shem and Koo Kien Keat-Lim Khim Wah rather than hang on to a pair who have stagnated. Zolkples stressed that seeing Kien Keat-Boon Heong become champions is what everyone wants but he believes the pair have lost that exceptional ability shown in their breathtaking win in the 2006 Asian Games.

"I am very disappointed with BAM's decision as I was looking forward to the association splitting Kien Keat and Boon Heong and announcing the new combinations. Surprisingly, they have been given another year but I seriously feel they no longer have a future as a pair," said Zolkples.

"With the new combinations, at least we will have two balanced pairs and BAM can work towards the 2016 Olympics.

"Reaching quarter-finals or semi-finals is not a problem for them but we want them to become champions. If their target is just the quarter-finals, I think they can go on playing even until 2020.
"I was frustrated with Kien Keat-Boon Heong with the way they performed in the bronze medal playoff in the London Games. After coming close to beating the Koreans (Chung Jae Sung-Lee Yong Dae), they just threw the second game away without a fight. That was the moment I felt that their winning edge and hunger was gone.

"If it was Lee Chong Wei, he wouldn't have given up. Chong Wei, despite losing the second game against Lin Dan (in the Olympics final), fought back in the third and battled hard. The spirit doesn't exist in Kien Keat-Boon Heong."

Zolkpes also urged BAM to be clear of the role of the proposed project manager and felt that a coaching director would be better suited.

He said the appointed person should be given full authority to run the national team and must have the credentials to produce results.

Zolkpes stated that if BAM is interested in hiring South Korean Park Joo Bong, NSC is open to discussions with the association.

"BAM needs a chief coach or a coaching director with authority. He must be given the power to run the national team and BAM must back his decisions," said Zolkples.

"The issue is not whether he is a local or a foreigner but the candidate must be with the right credentials.

"I was BAM secretary when Joo Bong was here and he is quite efficient. However, he hardly had any authority and BAM had more often supported the players than him. This must change and the chief coach or coaching director must call the shots."

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