The future of men doubles shuttlers Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong hinges on them reaching the final in the World Championships.
However, whether they will be split, dropped or retained, will be decided by the soon to be appointed Badminton Association of Malaysia’s (BAM) new coaching director or the coaching and training chairman.
Denmark’s coaching director Finn-Traerup Hansen advocates the continued usage of experienced players.
“I am not sure how far Koo and Tan have declined in their game but they have the experience. In terms of age, they still have many years ahead of them,” said Hansen.
“Danish pairs bloom at a later age but then, they do start late. It is important for the strategist to know how to make use of the “older” players’ experience. In the case of Koo and Tan, I think, their experience can be managed.
“It all depends on how much this pair fit into Malaysia’s plan for the future.
“Can they stay together until the 2016 Rio Olympic Games? If not, can they partner younger players and lead them. Or if they are retained for a short term, will they have enough motivation to push themselves further?
“And they must be made to understand their roles before any decision is made so they will be motivated enough to give it another try or accept the decision.”
Hansen said Denmark had tried out a few options in the past.
“Some of our experienced players helped out the younger players. Former world champion Jonas Rasmussen did quite well when we teamed him up with Mads-Conrad Petersen but eventually, their partnership did not last.”
“Every country will have a different focus and plan for the future but I believe it is the onus of the management to make good use of the experienced players. Only when all options have been exhausted, then, one should consider dropping them.”
Kien Keat-Boon Heong have been given a free ride until the third round, which means they will only be in action on Wednesday.
They will take on the winners between Lee Chun Hei-Ng Ka Long of Hong Kong and Adrian Liu-Derrick Ng of Canada.
Their first real challenge is expected to be in the quarter-finals against one of these pairs – South Koreans Kim Sa-rang-Kim Ki-jung and Shin Baek-cheol-Yoo Yeon-seong and China’s Hong Wei-Shen Ye.
If they go all the way to the semi-finals, they may meet Denmark’s top pair and seasoned campaigners Mathias Boe-Cartsen Mogensen.
It will also be a rest day for 11th seeded Hoon Thien How-Tan Wee Kiong, who have received a first round bye.
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