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Sports

Tuesday June 28, 2011

South Korea’s absence a boon for Malaysia in junior meet


PETALING JAYA: The decision by South Korea to skip the Asian Junior Badminton Championships from July 3-9 in Lucknow, India is a boon for Malaysia.

South Korea were seen as a threat to Malaysia in the doubles events and in their absence, Malaysia can harbour hopes of winning at least two titles through the boys’ doubles and mixed doubles events.

On the www.badzine.info website, South Korea’s head coach Lee Deuk-choon stated that their Foreign Ministry had advised the team against sending their juniors to India although there were no news of any security threats in the region.

It was revealed that one of the factors that led to the decision was following the difficulties faced by the senior team during the Asian Badminton Championships in India in April.

Then their players’ movements were restricted outside the hotel and tournament venue.

Without the South Koreans, Malaysia’s Nelson Heg-Teo Ee Yi will have a smoother passage to nick their first Asian junior boys’ doubles title.

And Low Juan Shen-Jagdish Singh may even make it a 1-2 finish for the country in the boys’ doubles event.

Malaysia have two mixed doubles pair that they count on to win the title.

They are Nelson-Chow Mei Kuan and Ee Yi-Yang Li Lian.

It will be tough for Malaysia to harbour hopes in the singles events because China are the heavy favourites.

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