MELAKA: Young players should be given more space and exposure in order to turn them into badminton players who are able to compete on the world stage.
Datuk Lee Chong Wei said the country is bereft of young players who can compete globally as seen by the big gap between him and the young players.
Citing Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin, 25, as an example, he said the national second singles player should be given more opportunity to play in the BWF Super Series to develop him into a world-class player.
“We have to send Iskandar Zulkarnain to more Super Series. In the past, he did not play to his full potential but give him the space to rise and become the best player,” he said after launching Marina Point development project in Klebang Besar yesterday.
Chong Wei hopes Iskandar Zulkarnain or other young players could succeed on the world stage since Malaysia is in dire need of players to take over his place.
Asked by reporters about his plan of becoming a coach after retirement, the national champion said it would depend on his performance and health.
“If I am in good shape, I plan to play until 2018, but first I have look at the situation next year. Actually, I have not thought about what to do after retirement. My focus is on the next tournament,” he added.— Bernama