KUALA LUMPUR: Independent shuttler Goh Jin Wei will not have her coach, Nova Armada, with her at the Paris Olympics due to limited accreditations for the Malaysian contingent.
In total, 22 Malaysian athletes have qualified for the Paris Games, and while athlete accreditations are guaranteed, only a limited number are available for officials, coaches, and support staff.
The World No. 33 will leave for Paris on July 23, ahead of the Games starting on July 26 with the opening ceremony.
"I will head to the Olympics without my team, including my coach. I'm not following Lee Zii Jia as he and his team have their own arrangements," Jin Wei said during chef de mission Datuk Hamidin Amin's visit in Cheras on Tuesday.
"I tried to get an accreditation for my coach but it is limited. I will be the only Malaysian athlete without a coach."
The 24-year-old admitted it will be difficult for her to perform in Paris without her coach.
Asked if she would like assistance from the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) during her matches, Jin Wei said its coaches do not know her training regime.
"They are not involved in my training, so it would be difficult for them to offer advice to me. Besides, I do not want to disturb the national coaches as they have their targets to achieve," said Jin Wei.
Hamidin confirmed that he has discussed the issue with BAM and Nova.
"BAM coaching director Rexy Mainaky will assist Jin Wei when she arrives at the athletes' village. BAM, the National Sports Council, and the Olympic Council of Malaysia will take care of her.
"Nova will share Jin Wei's training progress with Rexy. Nova can travel to Paris but will not be allowed into the training centre and Games village," said Hamidin.
It will be Jin Wei's Olympic debut in Paris.
For the record, Rexy is a former Olympic and world champion in men's doubles.
