BAM wants shuttlers to win world title in Glasgow

The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) wants the national squad athletes to become world champions at the BWF World Badminton Championships in Glasgow, Scotland, which will be held from Aug 21 to 27.

However, its president Datuk Seri Mohamad Norza Zakaria said the onus to win the title was not merely on national men's singles ace Datuk Lee Chong Wei.

According to Mohamad Norza, other players who could achieve the feat in Glasgow include the men's doubles pair Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong, and mixed doubles duo Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing.

"Definitely in badminton, we want to have our first world champ this year. We will work hard for that," he said during a press conference after chairing the BAM Coaching and Training Committee meeting at the Academy Badminton Malaysia here, on Wednesday.

After Malaysian athletes from track cycling and diving successfully won the world title this year, Mohamad Norza said it was time for badminton to achieve the same.

On the athletes' preparation for the the world championship, he said it was going well based on the feedback provided by the coaches, including men's singles head coach Datuk Misbun Sidek.

"Misbun and Hendrawan will accompany Chong Wei to Glasgow earlier. Based on feedback from the coaches, Chong Wei is in his best shape," he said.