KUALA LUMPUR – Amidst ongoing restructuring plans and speculation regarding players potentially leaving the national team, the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) said it has no intention of splitting up any of their top pairs ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
The three notable pairs include two-time Olympic bronze medallists Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik, Paris Games semi-finalists Pearly Tan and M. Thinaah, as well as mixed doubles pair Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei.
Speaking to Scoop today, Rexy Mainaky, the coaching director at Akademi Badminton Malaysia (ABM), emphasised the importance of maintaining positive continuity if the national team hopes to achieve better results in the future.
“Personally, and among the coaches, we have no intention of splitting our pairs.
“We have observed positive progress. Take Aaron and Wooi Yik, for example, while they may not have improved on the bronze they won in Tokyo, their desire to win gold is stronger than ever. That’s why it’s crucial to keep them together as partners.
“The same applies to Pearly and Thinaah, as well as Tang Jie and Ee Wei. They have gained valuable experience from the Paris Games and are highly motivated for the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
“More importantly, they need to maintain their physical condition and stay injury-free, as age is becoming a factor,” said Rexy, who was 28 years old when he won the men’s doubles gold at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, with his then partner Ricky Subagja.
Drawing comparisons to the enduring partnerships of Indonesia’s Mohammad Ahsan and Hendra Setiawan, as well as Denmark’s Kim Astrup and Anders Skaarup Rasmussen, Rexy believes that these three top pairs will still be at a competitive age in four years’ time.
“Looking back, Indonesia’s Ahsan and Hendra were 34 and 37 when they competed at the Tokyo Games, while Denmark’s Astrup and Rasmussen are 32 and 35 this year. These players are still performing at the highest level.
“So, if you ask me, Aaron and Wooi Yik, Pearly and Thinaah, as well as Tang Jie and Ee Wei will all still be at the right age to perform in Los Angeles. In fact, I believe they will be even stronger contenders by then.
“They just need to maintain strong self-discipline, and take good care of themselves,” Rexy added. – August 13, 2024