FORMER world No 1 Lee Chong Wei fully supports the BA of Malaysia's (BAM) decision to field young players at the Sudirman Cup in Finland and the Thomas and Uber Cup Finals in Denmark this year.
The 39-year-old retired shuttler believes the exposure will instil a sense of responsibility — something that can only be obtained when a player is thrown into the deep end and made to swim.
"I support BAM fully. I think it is a great move (to send young shuttlers).
"The up-and-coming players will not only gain valuable experiences from playing in team events, but it will make them more responsible.
"The pressure of competing in an individual event is totally different from a team event.
"When you lose in an individual tournament, it's your loss, your burden. When you lose in a team event, your entire team are affected. You have to take responsibility.
"I know this as I was the first singles for Malaysia in both the Sudirman and Thomas Cup for so many years," said Chong Wei, who made his final team event appearance at the 2018 Thomas Cup in Bangkok.
Despite the lack of quality and experience, BAM have decided to push their young players to the front line to get their second-stringers up and ready for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
In the absence of higher-ranked independent players like Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying (mixed doubles) and Soniia Cheah (women's singles), the lead roles will fall on the shoulders of reigning All England champion Lee Zii Jia and Tokyo Olympic bronze medallists Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik.
"The pressure is different. I'm not saying that there is no pressure playing in the Olympics or other major tournaments, but it is not the same.
"As first singles, Zii Jia can boost the entire team's confidence with a point if he wins the first match. If he loses, the entire team's morale changes.
"This was the case for many years with the Malaysian team. Having said that, these young players have to start somewhere, and this is their best opportunity," added Chong Wei.
The Sudirman Cup is scheduled on Sep 26-Oct 3 in Vantaa, followed by the delayed Thomas and Uber Cup Finals in Aarhus on Oct 9-17.
Malaysia are pooled in Group D with 2014 champions Japan, Canada and England for the Thomas Cup.
The women's team are also in Group D with 15-time champions China, Denmark and Canada for the Uber Cup.
