KUALA LUMPUR: Professional shuttler Shaqeem Eiman Shahyar has some advice for the 13 players leaving the national team at the end of this month.
"In the next two to three months, you will struggle to find sponsors and make a living. But don't give up, maybe something better is coming your way," he said.
He wished them good luck in their next journey.
Shaqeem, 23, left the national team in March after he felt that he was not equipped to handle the pressures at Akademi Badminton Malaysia.
"After I left, I did not train for a while to refresh my love for the sport. To be honest, I feel happier now with my life after leaving the national team.
"I have returned to training and coaching, and I don't feel the same pressure I had when on the national team," said world No. 271 Shaqeem who lost to Japan's world No. 285 Keita Makino 22-20, 21-12 in the first round of the Malaysia Super 100 at Stadium Juara today (Oct 16).
Shaqeem was touted as a future star after winning the national under-18 title in 2018 and the under-21 title the following year. Last year, he reached the national championship final but lost to Leong Jun Hao.
Earlier today (Oct 16), Jacky Kok exited the Malaysia Super 100 after falling to Japan's Koo Takahashi 21-13, 21-13 while world No. 118 Eogene Ewe Eon lost 21-7, 15-21, 21-17 to Japan's 53rd ranked Riku Hatano. Cheam June Wei edged Ong Zhen Yi 19-21, 21-15, 21-15.