KUALA LUMPUR: Former international Ong Ewe Hock does not agree with the Olympic Council of Malaysia's (OCM) decision to separate the national shuttlers into category A and B, ahead of the Jakarta-Palembang Asian Games in August.
According to Ewe Hock, the BA of Malaysia (BAM) should question the decision.
"OCM should support all the players, because in badminton there is also the team event. How can they decide to support half, while the remaining players go on the expenditure of the national association? These are all Malaysian athletes. If the OCM can't pay for everyone, then don't support anyone. I'd understand if this was for an individual event," said Ewe Hock on Wednesday.
Ewe Hock feels that this sort of separation will only cause conflict.
On Monday, BAM honorary secretary Datuk Ng Chin Chai confirmed the OCM had decided to only list 14 players (10 men and four women) under category A, while six other women were listed under category B, following the Asian Games' final selection committee meeting.
The selection process was based on players who are top four in Asia, or those who have won regional tournaments in the past.
On Malaysia's chances at this year's Games, Ewe Hock said: “I don't expect much, because just two months after the Thomas and Uber Cup, they will be playing at the Asian Games. At most, we can expect a small improvement but that's about it.
"Podium finishes are going to be extremely tough. Countries like Taiwan and Hong Kong are also strong these days. Malaysia are not in a comfortable position, so winning a medal will not come easy," added the two-time Malaysia Open champion (1996 and 2001).
Despite Malaysia winning four bronze medals at the 2014 Incheon Games, Ewe Hock said the playing field will be much tougher this year.
"Let's not even talk about gold, when securing a bronze is going to be tough. Japan, China, Indonesia and South Korea are powerhouses now. I predict Malaysia crashing out in the quarter-finals."
