陈重名选择退出国家队........
陈重名选择退出国家队........
Badminton: Chan takes time-out
By RAJES PAUL
KUALA LUMPUR: Doubles shuttler Chan Chong Ming has decided to quit thenational team after a successful 14-year journey with the BadmintonAssociation of Malaysia (BAM).
The 27-year-old Chong Ming announced yesterday that it was time for himto stop donning national colours in international tournaments and hewould serve out his contract with the BAM, which expires on Nov 30, asa sparring partner for the national team.
He added that he had handed letters of resignation to national chiefcoach Yap Kim Hock and doubles coach Rexy Mainaky and would submit acopy to BAM general manager Kenny Goh today.
Chong Ming has not decided on his future but said that it would certainly be related to the sport.
“Badminton is in my blood and I just can't run away from it. But Icannot deny that my time with the national team is up,” he said after atraining session at the Gymnasium II in Bukit Jalil yesterday.
“It was a hard decision for me to make. It actually took me greatcourage to sign the resignation letters. I felt sad after that.
“But I have been contemplating on this (to quit) for the last twomonths. Nowadays, my body cannot take the tough training sessions and Iam always nursing some minor injuries. I am not consistent in trainingand that is frustrating. (By staying in the team) I am certainly notbeing fair to my partner.”
With Chong Ming's decision to leave the team, the coaches will have to find a new partner for Hoon Thien How.
Thien How is Chong Ming's fourth regular partner since he joined theBAM camp as a junior player at their Academy in 1993. His otherpartners were Jeremy Gan, Chew Choon Eng and Koo Kien Keat.
On who formed the best partnership with him, Chong Ming said: “It wasspecial with each one of them. I had good memories with all of them.”
He spoke highly of his three memorable outings – at the 2002 and 2006Commonwealth Games in which he won the gold medal partnering Choon Engand Kien Keat in Manchester and Melbourne respectively and the 2006Thomas Cup Finals in Japan.
In Japan, Chong Ming-Kien Keat put up a titanic battle againstDenmark's Jens Eriksen-Martin Lundgaard Hansen in a semi-final tie.They won the match but Malaysia bowed out 2-3.
There have been disappointments too for Chong Ming, especially aftersuffering a shoulder injury in 2003 that almost ended his career.
“It took me three months to recover but I was never completely healedfrom it. I suffered pains on and off. Of course, it would have beengreat for me if I had won at the world championships or the Olympics.They were my only regrets.”
He has bronze medals to show from the world championships, partnering Choon Eng in 2001 and Kien Keat in 2005.
Chong Ming paid special tribute to Rexy.
“Rexy may be emotional at times but he really cares for his players. Hehas really done a great job with our doubles players. I am happy toquit because Rexy has groomed several good back-up players for thefuture,” he said.
“I would also like to thank my family and my girlfriend (Janice Lee), who were there for me during my ups and downs.
Chong Ming, who plans to settle down next year, also took his hats off to the BAM and the National Sports Council (NSC).
“I have to thank the BAM for keeping me under their banner for so long.The NSC, too, have been supportive. I know in my heart that I havegiven my very best to the country on every occasion. My only hope isthat the BAM and NSC will continue to look after the welfare ofplayers,” he added.
