Singaporean badminton player Loh Kean Yew (Photo: Xinhua)After clinchinga silver medal at the 2019 SEA Games, Loh wants to do better at this year'sedition of the competition.
The last time Singapore won the SEA Games men's singles title was in 1983 whenWong Shoon Keat accomplished the feat.
At the 2019 SEA Games in the Philippines, Loh became the first nationalshuttler to make it to the men's final since 2007, but lost to Lee Zii Jiaof Malaysia.
The 24-year-oldman said he is definitely aiming for gold because he has never got it before.
He stressed that it's been a long time since Singapore got a gold at the SEAGames (in the men's singles) so it will mean a lot for him and for Singapore aswell.
Loh said thatafter a ceremony organised recently by the Singapore Badminton Association(SBA) to thank Neo Garden for its donation package worth 300,000 USD that willgo towards improving SBA's high-performance programmes which concentrate onoverseas training stints and competitions, as well as the development ofplayers on all levels.
Loh said that the months leading up to the SEA Games have been a learningprocess for him, who has been learning to deal with the pressure that comesalong with his career.
He said he is still learning how to deal with the pressure, and he hopes todeal with it better.
Loh also shared about what he is doing to prepare for the region’s biggestGames next month.
Apart from the SEA Games, Singaporean athletes will also be involved in theCommonwealth Games from July 28 to August 8, and the Asian Games in Septemberthis year.
SBA chief executive Alan Ow thanked Neo Garden for its support to help with thedevelopment of badminton players, especially during the period when they aretwo years away from the Olympics.
Ahead of SEA Games 31, SBA technical director Martin Andrew said that thetarget for Singaporean shuttlers was to win a medal in the men's and women'steam events.
He added thatthe best possibilities for medals in the individual events will come in themen's, women's and mixed doubles events.
The final period of preparations for SEA Games 31 will see Singaporean shuttlers competing at various events such as the Badminton AsiaChampionships from April 26 - May 1, and Thomas Cup on May 8 -15, where theyhave been grouped alongside Indonesia, the Republic of Korea and Thailand.
Everything hasbeen done so that they can get performances at the SEA Games, the officialstated.
Meanwhile, the national 22-year-old shuttler Andy Kwek, who will compete in themen's doubles and mixed doubles events at SEA Games 31, said he believes thatthe upcoming competitions will be beneficial for the national shuttlers'preparations for the regional sports event in Vietnam.
SEA Games 31 will take place from May 12-23 in Hanoi, Bac Ninh, Hai Duong, HaiPhong, Quang Ninh, Ha Nam, Nam Dinh, Ninh Binh, Hoa Binh, Vinh Phuc, Phu Thoand Bac Giang.
It will feature 40 sports and 526 sets of medals. It is expected to welcome10,000 participants from 11 Southeast Asian countries.
This is the second time Vietnam has hosted the Games, following the 22nd one in2003./.
Organising Committee/VNA
