BAM needs to crack the whip to improve singles play

It's time for the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) to "be cruel to be kind" after the men's team was again found lacking in depth in the singles department. Those who can no longer perform and those whose progress have stagnated have to make way for those with potential.

In the Guangzhou Asian Games on Saturday, Malaysia suffered a crushing 2-3 defeat by Thailand in the quarter-finals. It was Malaysia's first loss to the Thais in 30 years.

The vulnerability of Malaysia's singles players was again evident for all to see when 23-year-old Liew Daren failed to rise to the occasion, going down Thai junior S. Avihingsanon in straight games. In fact, it was the second time Daren has lost to the 20-year-old Thai after the Malaysian International Challenge last year.