KUALA LUMPUR – Akademi Badminton Malaysia (ABM) technical director Rexy Mainaky has urged all coaches involved in the Road to Gold (RTG) programme to support players as frontline aides in managing pressure effectively.
Rexy emphasises the importance of this directive to ensure that players gearing up for the Olympic Games maintain focus and remain free from unnecessary stress.
With the Paris Olympics just 70 days away, players face a demanding schedule this month, starting with the Malaysia Masters next week, followed by the Singapore Open and the Indonesia Open.
Since badminton’s inclusion in the Olympic Games in Barcelona in 1992, it has been a promising event for the Malaysian contingent to contend for medals at the world’s largest sporting event.
“I want players to remain calm, leaving the worries to the coaches. I have conveyed this to all coaches in the RTG programme; they should bear the burden, not the players.
“Let the players concentrate solely on the Paris Olympics, with other tournaments along the way,” Rexy said.
By directing coaching staff to take the lead in managing the outcomes of upcoming tournaments, Rexy hopes for strong commitment from players at the Paris Olympics.
Currently, three representatives training at ABM in Bukit Kiara are Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik (men’s doubles), Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah (women’s doubles), and Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei (mixed doubles).
Meanwhile, two other players, Lee Zii Jia (men’s singles) and Goh Jin Wei (women’s singles), work independently with their respective coaches.
“In our meeting on Monday (between players and coaches), all players responded positively to this new arrangement. Our relationship in the past is akin to parent-child relationships. Sometimes, without us realising it, our words may have affected them.
“Now, players feel supported by coaches taking on this responsibility (being the frontline) for them to perform better at the Olympics.
“As coaches, we want to show them that we genuinely care about their well-being, and in that meeting, all I asked from the players was their commitment,” he added. – May 15, 2024