Friday June 27, 2008
BAM to discuss fate of under-performing shuttler Hafiz
By RAJES PAUL
KUALA LUMPUR: The future of national men's singles shuttler Mohd Hafiz Hashim will be on the agenda when the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) coaching and training committee and exco meet today in Bukit Kiara here.
Yesterday, the fourth seeded Hafiz was eliminated in the third round off the Thailand Open, losing 21-19, 16-21, 10-21 to unheralded Yuichi Ikeda of Japan. It was the second consecutive crushing blow for Hafiz after a first-round defeat by another Japanese, Kenichi Tago, in the Indonesian Open in Jakarta last week.
The BAM general manager, Kenny Goh, admitted that the Hafiz's slide in performance again was a major concern for them.
“We (the BAM) will take into consideration his results in recent tournaments and discuss his position in the national team in either the coaching and training committee or exco meetings. Our decision will be in the best interest of both parties,” he said.
Hafiz, who sounded his intention to leave his club, Nusa Mahsuri, a couple of months ago is currently enjoying the benefits of a national player under the BAM banner, which includes monthly allowances given by the National Sports Council (NSC).
With Hafiz's defeat in Bangkok yesterday, the Malaysian interest in the Thailand Open is only in the doubles events.