KUALA LUMPUR — Two more national badminton players, women’s doubles pair Anna Cheong and Low Yeen Yuen, will officially depart the national team at the end of this month.
Akademi Badminton Malaysia (ABM) head of administration, Michelle Chai, confirmed to Scoop noting that the duo’s departure is scheduled for September 30.
However, Michelle did not disclose specific reasons for their exit.
Player departures are not uncommon, Michelle explained, referencing the recent decision by men’s doubles pair Nur Izzudin Rumsani and Goh Sze Fei to leave the national squad and turn professional last month.
Other notable exits include Lee Shun Yang, who now trains with independent shuttler Lee Zii Jia, along with Shaqeem Eiman Shahyar, Aidil Sholeh Ali Sadikin, Ong Ken Yon, and Chia Wei Jie.
“It’s true that (Anna and Yeen Yuen) will be released by the end of the month, and we anticipate more players may follow, although no major names are involved.
“We are currently looking to further reduce the number of players in the national camp,” Michelle said.
Anna, who partnered with Teoh Mei Xing, won the Syed Modi International Badminton Championships in 2022, their biggest title following a victory at the Czech Open in 2021.
However, her career has been hampered by a knee injury sustained in September 2022, limiting her to just one appearance this year at the Malaysia Open in January.
For Yeen Yuen, her final assignment with the national team will take place this week, as she pairs up with Desiree Siow at the Malaysia International Challenge in Ipoh, Perak.
Yeen Yuen has had a notable career with the national squad, contributing to the women’s team’s bronze medal at the 2022 Badminton Asia Team Championships and another bronze at the 2023 SEA Games in Cambodia.
She also secured several titles alongside Valeree Siow. — September 15, 2024