KUALA LUMPUR – National mixed doubles professionals Tan Kian Meng and Lai Pei Jing feel that various factors must be considered if they want to realise their dream of competing in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
In four years’ time, Kian Meng will be 33 years old, while his partner Pei Jing will be 35.
For this world’s 24th-ranked pair, fitness and physical condition will play a crucial role in maintaining their performance at the highest level.
However, Kian Meng and Pei Jing’s main concern also revolves around sponsorship, which plays a significant role in sustaining their careers.
“I feel that the economy is tough right now, and everyone feels the situation. So it’s very difficult for us to convince sponsors to support us.
“Nevertheless, we believe we need to improve our ranking first,” said Kian Meng.
Pei Jing echoed the same sentiment, believing that they need to achieve favourable results internationally to attract potential sponsors.
“I think we need to get good results, and when that happens, I believe sponsors will come to us.
“But for now, our recent results have not been satisfactory enough, so we need to strive harder even though we are no longer eligible for the Paris Olympics,” said Pei Jing.
Currently, their sponsorship is limited to the sports brand from Chinese Taipei, Victor.
Despite their aspirations, Kian Meng and Pei Jing have faced disappointment in Olympic qualification twice due to fierce competition among national mixed doubles players.
In the Tokyo 2020 Olympic qualification, they ended in 13th place, missing out as Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying represented Malaysia.
Similarly, in the Paris 2024 qualification, they placed 24th, conceding their chance when the slot was secured by Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei.
The Badminton World Federation specified that a country can only send two representatives to the Olympic Games if they finish the qualification campaign within the top eight ranks. – May 24, 2024