Although the official venue for Malaysia’s new professional badminton training centre has yet to be confirmed, national mixed doubles pair Goh Soon Huat and Shevon Lai Jemie are hopeful that the upcoming facility will include high-quality courts and a modern cooling system to support elite-level preparation.
The duo, who are currently ranked No. 6 in the world, are among the elite players included in the Road to Gold (RTG) programme — an initiative designed to provide top-tier support for independent athletes aiming for success at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
As part of this national drive to enhance Malaysia’s Olympic medal prospects, Soon Huat-Shevon — along with men’s doubles pair Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin Rumsani — are expected to benefit from improved training infrastructure, including the planned new facility.
New Training Base Underway: RTG Initiative Gains Momentum
The RTG programme, chaired by Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh, is actively working to offer independent shuttlers access to better training environments, separate from national training centres run by BAM (Badminton Association of Malaysia). Minister Yeoh had earlier hinted that a dedicated training base is in the pipeline to give players more focused and conducive conditions to train at the highest level.
Currently, both Soon Huat-Shevon and Sze Fei-Izzuddin are training at the Pioneer Badminton Centre in Endah Parade, alongside other professional athletes under the guidance of coach Teo Kok Siang.
“We are still waiting to hear the full details from the RTG committee about the proposed new facility for independent shuttlers,” said Soon Huat following a recent session at Endah Parade. “It’s an encouraging step forward, and we appreciate the effort. We’ve been training here for over three years now.”
Facilities Matter: Flooring and Cooling System Are Top Priorities
While both players expressed gratitude for the support they currently receive, they were candid about the improvements they hope to see at the new centre — particularly regarding court quality and the training environment.
Shevon Lai Jemie highlighted the impact of proper flooring on an athlete’s body and long-term performance.
“The current facilities aren’t bad — we have rubber courts and some fans — but if we’re talking about elite-level preparation, we definitely need premium court flooring and a reliable cooling system,” said Shevon.
“Badminton is a high-impact sport. We train every single day, and poor flooring takes a toll on our joints and muscles. Quality courts are crucial to minimize injury risk and maintain performance.”
She also stressed the importance of a well-ventilated, temperature-controlled environment.
“A cooling system can make a real difference. In a hot, humid space, you get tired more quickly. With better airflow and cooler temperatures, you can train harder and longer. It’s not a luxury — it’s a performance factor,” she added.
Private Space Preferred Over Public Venues
Soon Huat and Shevon also emphasized the need for a private, dedicated training venue — rather than continuing in a shared public space like a shopping mall complex.
“Ideally, we’d love to have a training base that’s exclusive to us. In a private setting, you get full control of the environment,” Shevon explained.
“At the moment, because we train in a commercial area, we often have to compete for court time. It’s open to the public, so even when we need extra sessions, we must consider the availability and extra costs.”
“Having a private base means we can plan our training more freely. Also, it would help if it’s located in Kuala Lumpur, where most of us are already based. Accessibility really matters when you’re training daily.”
Focus Now Turns to Japan and China Opens
While waiting for news on the training centre, Soon Huat and Shevon are shifting their focus to the Japan Open (July 15–20) and the China Open (July 22–27) — two crucial back-to-back events on the BWF World Tour. With the Olympics on the horizon, strong performances in these tournaments could be vital for momentum and ranking points.
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