INJURY-PRONE Wong Mew Choo is the latest to be included in the 2012 London Olympics programme as questions are raised about keeping faith with a bunch of shuttlers who will be in their late 20s or may have even hung up their racquets by then.

Sports Minister Datuk Ismail Sabri Yaakob, however, defended the London 2012 steering committee's decision as the shuttlers were selected based on their world ranking and have the experience to go for medals again, despite fears they could be past their prime.

Mew Choo's career has been constantly hampered by injury problems and she is currently recovering from a serious knee injury, which makes even an appearance in the 2010 Asian Games doubtful.

World No 1 Lee Chong Wei, 27, World No 5 Zakry Latif-Fairuzizuan Tazari, both 26, women's doubles World No 2 Wong Pei Tty (pic) and Chin Eei Hui are 28 and 27 respectively were all named as medal prospects by the committee on Thursday.

Only Koo Kien Keat, 24, and Tan Boon Heong, 22, will be in their prime.
"We have to go by the current world ranking as the level of the back-up players is way below par. But this doesn't mean that we will sideline the back-up players as they will be considered in the list if they prove their worth."

"We have considered the age factor but there have been instances where older players have won gold, such as Poul Erik Hoyer Larsen (of Denmark) who was past 30 when he won in 1996.

"However, if the listed players' performance deteriorates, we will consider others who have shown progress."

Pei Tty-Eei Hui have already indicated their objective is to play until the 2010 Asian Games while Chong Wei, who is still good enough to play in another Olympics, may not be good enough for a second medal.

Zakry-Fairuz's inconsistency means younger pairs like Mak Hee Chun-Tan Wee Kiong and Goh Wei Shem-Ong Jian Guo are better prospects for the future.

Still, it is not too late and the steering committee must review the performance of those shortlisted at the end of the year and decide accordingly.



My comments : oh god ! is it that bad ?