Kuala lumpur: The Road to Gold (RTG) Committee has proposed that players under the auspices of the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) train together with professional shuttlers starting from early next year. Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh stated that this proposal aims to enhance the competitive spirit between BAM shuttlers and the professionals listed under the RTG programme.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Yeoh emphasized the importance of this initiative by highlighting that allowing these players to spar together would prevent a loss of competitiveness. She noted that the rankings of the players are almost similar, presenting a valuable opportunity for both groups. Yeoh mentioned that the RTG is actively working with BAM to ensure the availability of special courts dedicated to this training purpose.

Yeoh made these remarks after witnessing the signing of a memorandum of agreement on sponsorship between the National Sports Council (NSC) and the local sports goods company, Corporate Hero Century Sdn Bhd (PACE). The latest RTG list includes national shuttlers under the BAM umbrella such as Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik and Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun in men’s doubles, Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah in women’s doubles, and Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei in mixed doubles. Professional shuttlers like Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani and Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie are also part of this initiative.

In addition, Yeoh expressed her gratitude towards PACE for their commitment to supplying 1,000 sets of sports attire to national athletes for a year, highlighting the importance of such support for the athletes’ development.