PETALING JAYA: Will the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) convince men’s doubles pair Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani to remain in the national body or allow them to carry on their careers as independent players?
Talk is rife that the duo have already decided to leave the BAM and turn professional.
The two, who are currently ranked No. 13 in the world, are one of the most senior pairs currently in the national team and were reunited just last year after a brief split due to a lack of trust.
Despite much speculation that Sze Fei-Izzuddin could seek a new avenue to continue their careers, national coaching director Rexy Mainaky has refused to confirm or deny the rumours until a concrete decision has been made by both parties.
“We cannot respond to something that is still uncertain.
“The BAM council will discuss this matter in the upcoming meeting, after which a decision will be made and an answer will be given,” said Rexy.
“For now, Sze Fei-Izzuddin are still under BAM and are still training here (Academy Badminton Malaysia). They will also compete under us in the Japan Open (Aug 20-25) and Korean Open (Aug 27-Sept 1).”
Sze Fei-Izzuddin had reunited in a bid to make the cut for the Paris Olympics but they did not manage to qualify.
The pair’s form has improved in the past few months as they finished runners-up in the Asian Championships in April and helped Malaysia win bronze in the Thomas Cup Finals in Chengdu, China, in May.
Sze Fei-Izzuddin, though, still have not achieved much success overall since they were first combined by then men’s doubles coach Cheah Soon Kit in 2016.
The duo’s best achievements were winning the World Tour Super 300 German Open in 2022 and US Open last year.
Sze Fei and Izzuddin, who will both turn 27 by the end of the year, could be tempted to go independent to try to give their partnership more impetus and achieve more success.
And the BAM may not try to stand in their way if they really have their hearts set on quitting the national team.
In the past, the national body have let go the likes of senior men’s doubles pair Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi and mixed doubles combos Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie and Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing after they were deemed to be past their peak.
