Nusa’s Ramdan makes the cut for Asian Juniors
Posted by valsus on July 3, 2009
KUALA LUMPUR: Misbun Ramdan, the second son of national singles coach Misbun Si dek, has earned a place in the squad for the Asian junior championships, which will be held at the Juara Stadium in Bukit Kiara here from July 12-19.
The 18-year-old from the Nusa Mahsuri stable is one of the two shuttlers not in the Badminton Association of Malaysia’s (BAM) fold to get the nod along with KLRC Bhd’s Zulfadli Zulkifli. The other boys’ singles shuttlers in the team are Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin, Mohd Syawal Ismail, Loh Wei Sheng and Tew Gee Chong.
As hosts, Malaysia have the privilege to name six players instead of four for the boys’ singles competition.
Ramdan made the grade from three selection trials. He emerged as the Zone A Under-18 champion in the last two legs of the national junior circuit in Kedah and Perak. And in the circuit’s Grand Finals in Seremban last month, he was beaten by eventual champion Iskandar in the semi-finals.
“I am very excited over getting to play in the individual event,” said Ramdan.
“It will be tough. I will be playing in the Asian Juniors for the first time and I do not know the strength of the other competitors. But my father has always taught me not to give up on court and I will try my best.”
Iskandar, the reigning national schools champion, is considered Malaysia’s best bet for honours in the Asian Juniors. He will be out to make up for the disappointment of losing in the quarter-finals last year.
Tee Jing Yi will be making her last appearance in the Asian Juniors and she spearheads the Malaysian challenge in the girls’ singles. The others for the event are Yang Li Lian, Sonia Cheah, Florah Ng, Ng Sin Er and Ng Sin Zou.
The boys’ doubles competition where Malay sia have always challenged strongly for the top honours, will see five pairs.
They are Goh Jian How-Pang Zheng Lin, Ow Yao Han-Yew Hong Kheng, Chooi Kah Ming-Yeoh Choong Yee, Teo-Ee Yi-Goh Sze Onn and Lau Win Hui-Tan Wee Tat.
Zheng Lin partnered Kah Ming to win the bronze in last year’s competition won by team-mates Mak Hee Chun-Teo Kok Siang.
It was the only gold won by Malaysia and coach Yap Kim Hock will be looking to keep the tradition going. It will be Kim Hock’s first major assignment since taking over the Bukit Jalil Sports School’s (BJSS) doubles programme at the beginning of the year.
To date, 22 countries have confirmed their participation in the championships and the draw will be made on July 7.
