With nothing much to show controversial former national No 2, Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin has thrown in the shuttle.
The 27-year-old Johorean is parting ways with the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) to plot his badminton fortunes on his own after 15 years with the national body.
Last week Iskandar crashed out in the second round in the Macau China Open – result which also saw him being withdrawn from the Hong Chong China Open from Mov 13-18.
Earlier he was pulled out from the Chinese Taipei Open after he failed to get past the qualifying round in the Korea Open in September.
Iskandar was in the Malaysian team to the Thomas Cup Finals in Bangkok in May where Malaysia failed to achieve their semi-final target after a 4-1 defeat to Indonesia in the quarter-finals.
However, Iskandar hogged the limelight for the wrong reasons when it was revealed that he was caught smoking in the official hotel and the BAM acted on his “indiscipline” by forfeiting his allowance.
He was further punished when national chief coach Datuk Misbun Sidek, who treated him more like a son, recommended that Iskandar is dropped from the Asian Games team. The BAM council endorsed the move.
Iskandar was also sent for rehabilitation to kick his smoking habit. He also missed national training after the Hari Raya holidays. RIZAL ABDULLAHÂ
