New partner to keep Chiew Sien’s Olympics dream alive
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 8 — Women’s doubles player Lim Chiew Sien has hinted that she may have found a partner to continue her chase for Olympics qualification after being dropped by the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM).
Chiew Sien, 25, however, declined to name the player.
“You will know about it. We are still in discussion…she was with BAM before and has turned professional,” said Chiew Sien, who is among seven players who will leave the national team at the end of this month.
“My dream is to play in the Olympics. Even though it is very hard I will still do my best and hopefully I can get a partner who has the same ambition to fight for our dreams,” she said when met after her match at the Malaysia Masters here yesterday.
The seven were dropped as part of BAM’s efforts to form a new Project 24 squad. Project 24, which was launched in September last year, was aimed at taking Malaysia back into the Thomas Cup final and winning an Olympic gold medal in 2024.
Besides Chiew Sien, the others axed included men’s singles shuttlers Soong Joo Ven, Tan Jia Wei and Muhammad Ziyad Md Taha and women’s doubles player Lim Peiy Yee.
Asked on her target at the Malaysia Masters, Chiew Sien said she hoped to advance into the quarter-finals.
Chiew Sien and Anna Cheong Ching Yik began their campaign on a commendable note by defeating compatriots Cheah Yee See-Payee Lim 21-11, 21-18 yesterday.
“Hopefully, I can get into the quarters because last year I reached the second round,” she said.
The duo will take on fellow qualifiers and teammates Pearly Tan-M.Thinaah in the first round of the main draw today.
— BERNAMA