PETALING JAYA: Prove that you’ve made the right decision.
This is the message sent by national doubles coaching director Rexy Mainaky to men’s pair Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani after they decided to end their partnership.
The world No. 11 pair had made the decision to go separate ways after eight years as a combination in a bid to revive their careers.
They had captured the German Open and reached the final of the Swiss Open last March but failed to maintain their strong form.
Rexy now wants Sze Fei-Izzuddin to prove that their decision to split up is justified by doing well once he and his coaching team come up with new partners for the duo.
“We had worked hard to get them to their current ranking but their efforts to go further seem to be in vain.
“It seems like they are afraid to embrace the challenges that come with being a top pair.
“Now, I hope they do well with new partners and prove that it was the correct decision to split up,” said Rexy.
Rexy admitted that it won’t be easy to find suitable partners for Sze Fei and Izzuddin.
“To be honest, there are no available players to be paired with them as the others are already in partnerships.
“We also have plans to send the other pairs for tournaments. It’s not fair to disrupt their preparation.
“Once all the coaches return from the Thailand Masters and Iran International Challenge (Jan 31-Feb 5), we will discuss possible partnerships for Sze Fei and Izzuddin.
“I want this issue resolved as soon as possible as I need to focus fully on preparing the players for the qualification for the 2024 Paris Olympics,” said Rexy.
The one-year qualification period is set to begin in May.
With Sze Fei and Izzuddin’s hopes of making the cut all but over due to their decision to split up, Rexy has urged world No. 24 Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun to step up in the fight for the two available slots.
With world No. 2 Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik almost guaranteed a spot, Wei Chong-Kai Wun need to overtake independent pair and world No. 9 Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi to make the cut.
A country is allowed a maximum of two pairs in the Olympics, provided both finish in the top eight before the end of the qualification period.
