PETALING JAYA: Let’s not make the mistake of depending only on one department as in the past.
National doubles coaching director Rexy Mainaky believes no department is superior to another, with every player bringing unique strengths and qualities that could prove crucial in powering Malaysia towards greater success at this year’s Sudirman Cup starting today in Xiamen, China.
Rexy says one of Malaysia’s past mistakes in team events was placing too much expectation on certain players, a tactic that did not always bring the desired results.
Although on paper the singles line-up may not appear as formidable as the doubles, with Leong Jun Hao, Justin Hoh, Goh Jin Wei and K. Letshanaa not ranked among the top 10, Rexy stressed that the men’s and women’s singles players were equally capable of delivering vital points when it mattered most.
“I would say that we should not focus on which department is the strongest, but rather emphasise that we have a strong team overall,” he said.
“We must learn from past mistakes, where focusing too much on certain individuals or departments in team events indirectly demotivated other players who were seen as less strong.
Malaysia have a powerful line-up in the doubles events, which features Asian champions Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, world No. 2 Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani, and world No. 7 Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun and followed by women’s doubles Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah (No. 5); mixed doubles pairs Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie (3), Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei (4), and Hoo Pang Ron-Cheng Su Yin (14).
Rexy said the goal is to retain the bronze medal they had won in the past two consecutive editions, which means they have to finish as the top two in Group C consisting of Australia, France and three-time runners-up Japan.
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