Men’s doubles shuttlers, Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin Rumsani, are on the verge of joining Malaysia's ambitious Road to Gold (RTG) programme. The initiative, spearheaded by Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh, aims to prepare athletes for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games. The pair, who recently transitioned to independence from the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM), are likely to accept the offer of government support after a meeting with the minister.
Sze Fei and Izzuddin have been thriving as independent players since departing BAM last August. Their impressive performances have seen them clinch titles at the Japan Open, China Open, Arctic Open, and Indian Open. As they continue their journey, they now face the challenge of securing their own funding. The RTG programme offers a potential solution, providing necessary financial backing and resources.
In a pivotal meeting on Wednesday, February 26, Minister Yeoh discussed the terms and conditions of the RTG programme with the world No. 2 ranked pair. Following this engagement, the minister expressed her optimism about their future successes.
"Lunch catch up with Sze Fei and Izzuddin to hear about their new challenges and how RTG can be a support system for them."
Source: Hannah Yeoh
The pair are preparing to compete in the prestigious All-England tournament in Birmingham from March 11-16. Minister Yeoh conveyed her well-wishes for their upcoming matches.
"They are now ranked No. 2 in the world and I wish them success in the coming tournaments as they continue to play their way up."
Source: Hannah Yeoh
The RTG programme represents a strategic move by the Malaysian government to bolster its athletes' preparations for the Olympics. Unlike men’s singles player Lee Zii Jia, who declined the programme last year, Sze Fei and Izzuddin appear poised to embrace this opportunity. This decision underscores the programme's value as a stepping stone towards Olympic success.
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