KUALA LUMPUR, June 25 — Professional women’s badminton singles player Goh Jin Wei will have to make her debut at the 2024 Olympic Games without her coach Nova Armada by her side.
Her request to the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) to take her Indonesian coach with her was unsuccessful, as the International Olympic Council issued only a limited number of accreditation cards.
“I have tried my best to ask for my coach (to be in Paris). He has been with me for the past three years, but finally, he cannot go, so I am disappointed I cannot bring my own coach.
“This has happened before, but this time it is so important because the Olympic Games is a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” Goh said to the press after a visit from chef-de-mission (CDM) Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin today.
The 33rd world-ranked player said she would still try to do her best to adapt to not having her coach guide her at courtside during the Olympics, even though she admitted it would be very tough.
On whether she was ready to accept assistance from the Badminton Association of Malaysia in Paris, Goh said their coaches might have difficulty adapting to her training regimen and playing style, but nevertheless expressed her willingness to accept the support services offered by the National Sports Institute at the Olympics.
Meanwhile, Hamidin said that the player would receive assistance, including guidance from Akademi Badminton Malaysia coaching director Rexy Mainaky, throughout her time in Paris.
He added that there should be no need for concern as the OCM, the National Sports Council, and the national badminton squad would be looking after her during their stay at the sports village.
“Nova Armada can come to Paris, but it’s hard for him to go to the training centre as our contingent is small, and the percentage of getting accreditation cards is slim,” Hamidin said.
The 2024 Olympics will begin on July 26 and end on August 11.
— Bernama
