It’s demoralising to be sent back home after failure to meet one’s target.
But that’s exactly what has happened to singles shuttler Cheam June Wei after he lost in the quarter-finals of the Czech Open and limped out of the Belgium International with an ankle injury last month.
He lost 19-21, 21-15, 17-21 to world No. 97 Siril Verma of India in the quarter-finals of the Czech Open and retired after 23-25, 2-11 against Kim Bruun of Denmark in the first round of the Belgium meet.
In the same two international tournaments, his junior Ng Tze Yong emerged as the runners-up and champion respectively.
The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) decided to withdraw June Wei from three International Challenge tournaments in Europe – Ireland (Nov 17-20), Scotland (Nov 25-28) and Wales (Dec 1-4) and he is back in Kuala Lumpur.
Although disappointed that he did not win a title during his European stint, the 24-year-old June Wei has vowed to soldier on.
“I was supposed to continue playing in Ireland, Scotland and Wales but a decision has been made to send me back home,” said June Wei.
“I didn’t hit the KPI (key performance index) set for me as I lost in the Czech Open.
“It’s frustrating. I didn’t win a title.
“I hurt my ankle in Belgium and that’s why I retired. I’ve recovered as it only took a week to heal. Overall, I thought I didn’t play too bad but it was not good enough.”
