Malaysia’s pursuit of its first Olympic gold medal gains fresh momentum as two of the country’s top badminton pairs officially pledge their commitment to the Road to Gold (RTG) program for the 2025 cycle. World No. 1 men’s doubles team Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin Rumsani, alongside elite mixed doubles pair Goh Soon Huat and Shevon Lai Jemie, have now joined the elite list of national athletes receiving targeted support in the lead-up to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
The announcement was made on Thursday, June 19, by Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh, who emphasized the government’s commitment to backing athletes with real medal potential.
“These four shuttlers will now receive comprehensive, performance-based assistance as they work toward not just qualifying for the 2028 Olympic Games, but also making history for Malaysia on the global stage,” said Yeoh.
A Strategic Push Toward Olympic Success
The Road to Gold initiative is a high-performance athlete development program launched by the Malaysian government to identify, fund, and support national athletes who show Olympic potential. The inclusion of Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin and Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie reflects both pairs’ recent consistent international performances and their rising status in the global badminton circuit.
According to Minister Yeoh, RTG has always remained focused on nurturing athletes who meet its strict qualification benchmarks.
“The goal is clear: we want to elevate Malaysia’s standing in Olympic sports. With the right support, these athletes can turn potential into podium finishes,” she added.
Joining an Elite Squad of National Athletes
The newly inducted pairs will now train and prepare alongside several other top-tier Malaysian badminton players who are already part of the RTG program. This includes the world No. 2 men’s doubles team Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik, who are Olympic bronze medalists, as well as the promising men’s duo Man Wei Chong and Tee Kai Wun.
Also included in the RTG lineup are women’s doubles stars Pearly Tan and M. Thinaah, and mixed doubles pair Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei, who continue to climb the BWF rankings with notable performances on the international stage.
Beyond badminton, the RTG program encompasses a diverse selection of Olympic hopefuls. These include:
- Mohd Aniq Kasdan, a national weightlifting prodigy
- Track cyclists Mohd Shah Firdaus Sahrom and Nurul Izzah Izzati Asri
- Top Malaysian squash player S. Sivasangari, who recently returned to the world stage following recovery from injury
Why Road to Gold Matters: Malaysia’s Olympic Dream
Since the inception of Malaysia’s Olympic participation, a gold medal remains elusive despite several near-misses, particularly in badminton and cycling. With the Los Angeles 2028 Games on the horizon, the Road to Gold program is being fine-tuned to address training gaps, international exposure, athlete conditioning, sports psychology, and data-driven performance analytics.
Athletes under RTG benefit from specialized coaching, cutting-edge sports science support, and a dedicated ecosystem aimed at maximizing medal prospects.
Looking Ahead: Building Toward Los Angeles 2028
The inclusion of Goh Sze Fei, Nur Izzuddin, Soon Huat, and Shevon Lai into the RTG program not only reinforces Malaysia’s strength in badminton but also signals the country’s focused strategy on delivering a breakthrough performance in 2028.
With the Los Angeles Olympics still three years away, these athletes now have the foundation, resources, and platform to train with clarity and compete with confidence.
The message is clear—Malaysia is not just participating; it’s planning to make history.
ALSO READ :
