Jun Hao faces ultimatum to revive form

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's Badminton Association (BAM) has been urged to give badminton player Leong Jun Hao an ultimatum to improve his performance or face being removed from the national team following a series of disappointing results on the international stage. Former BAM high performance director Datuk James Selvaraj believes Jun Hao still possesses the ability to return to his peak, but confidence and mental issues appear to be the main obstacles.

The world No. 27 has not advanced past the quarter-finals in any of the 12 tournaments he has participated in this year, with most of his campaigns ending in the first or second round. Jun Hao's most recent loss came at the China Masters in Shenzhen, where he was defeated by Indonesia's Jonatan Christie in the first round. In May, BAM's performance committee chairman Datuk Seri Lee Chong Wei had warned Jun Hao about disciplinary issues, with harsher action expected if the player fails to show improvement.

James, however, suggested that BAM should first provide Jun Hao with the necessary support, especially on the mental side, before making a decision about his future with the national team. James noted that while Jun Hao still has powerful strokes and deceptive shots, his problem lies in his fear and unstable performance, which may be due to fear of losing or inability to play well consistently.

James recommended that BAM give Jun Hao another year to prove himself before deciding his fate, with the hope that the player can perform better within that period. If Jun Hao fails to improve, BAM can consider dropping him from the national squad.