PETALING JAYA: It was enjoyable celebrating Malaysia’s world title success at the World Championships, but the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM)'s real mission lies in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
BAM secretary general Datuk Kenny Goh described the feat as a historic achievement for the nation after Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei became Malaysia’s first-ever mixed doubles world champions.
Adding to the joy, Malaysia also returned with a silver medal through women’s doubles pair Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah, the country’s first medal in the world meet since its inception in 1977.
Yet, while these triumphs mark important milestones, the ultimate mission remains clear — to deliver Malaysia’s long-awaited first Olympic gold medal at the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
"Our main target is the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. We have a road map with several milestones, and what matters most is for the coaches and players to meet those milestones," said Kenny.
"If they achieve them, it shows we are still on the right track.
"Take the All-England in March, for instance. We returned with disappointing results and immediately there were calls saying we had failed and demands for BAM to make changes.
"The truth is, it’s not that we don’t want a change, but we must look at the long-term plan.
"As long as we are meeting the milestones, we are on the right track. If we fall behind, then adjustments have to be made. We cannot impose a ‘death penalty’ just because of the All-England," said Kenny.
So far, everything appears to be on the right track for the national camp under doubles coaching director Rexy Mainaky.
Since returning to Malaysia in 2021, Rexy has already guided the country to two world champions, beginning with Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik’s men’s doubles triumph in Tokyo the following year.
The Malaysian badminton team have settled for silver in three consecutive editions - Beijing 2008, London 2012 and Rio 2016 through Datuk Seri Lee Chong Wei.
At the Paris Olympics last year, Malaysia secured two bronze medals through men’s doubles pair Aaron-Wooi Yik and men’s singles ace Lee Zii Jia.
