GLASGOW, Aug 4 — National Sports Council director-general Datuk Seri Zolkples Embong has urged the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) to review the performance of national men’s singles player Liew Daren.
He said he was disappointed with the performance shown by Liew who lost 13-21 and 14-21 to Kashyap Parupalli from India in the quarter-finals of the men’s singles event at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.
“I’ll push them (BAM) after this, it’s time to stop talking so much... I don’t mind losing, but the way he lost was unacceptable, it was too easy,” he told reporters here.
Zolkples also urged another men’s singles player Chong Wei Feng to overcome his weaknesses, especially in handling pressure when competing in a major tournament.
“If Chong Wei (Datuk Lee Chong Wei) was there, I’m confident that Wei Feng would also advance to the final, but he (Wei Feng) was too stressed after having entrusted to win the gold medal and became the favourite in the competition,” he said.
Wei Feng lost to another Indian player, R V Gurusaidutt, 15-21, 21-8 and 17 -21 in the quarter-finals.
Overall, Zolkples said the badminton squad’s achievement and ability to win three gold medals at the Games in the absence of Chong Wei, must be commended. — Bernama
