Tengku Zafrul: Back our shuttlers, don't write them off

KUALA LUMPUR: BA of Malaysia (BAM) president Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz has called on Malaysians to rally behind the national shuttlers instead of dismissing their chances before the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games begin.

Tengku Zafrul was responding to coaching legend Datuk Misbun Sidek's assessment that Malaysia's badminton contingent were merely "participants" rather than gold-medal contenders.

"I respect Coach Misbun and everything he has contributed to Malaysian badminton," Tengku Zafrul wrote in the comments section of the story on NST Online's Instagram account.

"But this is the time to back our players, not write them off before the competition even begins.

"Let them focus, compete and give their best for Malaysia."

Misbun had earlier said the national shuttlers were "not there yet" based on their performances in recent tournaments.

Malaysia will head into the Games hoping to end a 20-year wait for an Asian Games badminton gold medal.

The country's last success came through men's doubles pair Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong at the 2006 Doha Games.

BAM have set a target of one silver and one bronze for Aichi-Nagoya, although the national body have also challenged the players internally to fight for gold.

The badminton competition begins with the men's and women's team events on Sunday.