KUALA LUMPUR: The top priority of the incoming men’s doubles coach is to restore the performance of the top pair Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, said Rexy Mainaky.
The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) are expected to announce the replacement for Tan Bin Shen as the men’s doubles head coach today after their council meeting.
Bin Shen is leaving to Hong Kong after the ongoing Malaysian Open.
It is learnt that two key candidates have been linked to the position are namely Teo Kok Siang and former Indonesian coach Herry Iman Pierngadi.
Kok Siang is currently overseeing the professional doubles players based in Sri Petaling, while Herry has chosen not to continue his tenure with the All-Indonesia Badminton Associaiton (PBSI) after nearly three decades of service to the governing body.
National coaching director Rexy, who has yet to reveal the identity of the new coach, said he would give him the space to plan his own methods and formula for improving the men’s doubles squad.
“We don’t know who it is yet. When a new coach comes in, they will usually assess the overall team situation first and make an initial evaluation of each player, including Aaron and Wooi Yik,” said Rexy.
“Only then can the coach plan the best approach for them. But most importantly, the new coach needs to fully understand the players here to help them come up with ideas that will enhance their performance.
Commenting on Aaron and Wooi Yik’s defeat, Rexy admitted that his two charges failed to use their extensive experience to handle crucial points.
“They should have been more composed when facing difficult moments, especially during crucial points when the opponents levelled the score. It was a mistake on their part.
“I’m not trying to make excuses. Even some top pairs like Wang Chang-Liang Weikeng and Kim (Astrup)-Anders (Skaarup Rasmussen) also struggled and were eliminated.
“We always expect perfection, but once you step onto the court, that may not always happen,” he added.
Concerns over the 2022 world champions resurfaced after Aaron-Wooi Yik were knocked out in the second round of the Malaysian Open on Thursday. They lost 14-21, 18-21, to unseeded Taiwanese pair Lee Fang-chih and Lee Fang-jen.
