PETALING JAYA: Mixed doubles coach Nova Widianto is planning to reshuffle the back-up pairs under him in a bid to produce more combinations capable of challenging at the highest level.
Nova won plaudits for guiding world No. 4 Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei to the world title in Paris last month.
The Indonesian also guided world No. 18 Hoo Pang Ron-Cheng Su Yin to the world’s top 20 rankings just a year after combining the duo.
Nova is now out to produce more elite pairs.
“I’m confident that I can produce at least two more pairs next year,” said Nova after a training session at the Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM) in Bukit Kiara yesterday.
“I’m planning to reshuffle the back-up pairs in order to find the best combinations. We have talent but perhaps some of the players need some time to prove that they have champions’ mentality.
“Currently, the back-up pairs’ results in tournaments have not been good enough. So, I’m considering combining juniors with seniors to shake things up.
“I can see that some of the juniors are showing more fighting spirit compared to the seniors,” added Nova.
Nova is planning to make the changes after the World Junior Championships from Oct 6-19 in Guwahati, India.
Loo Bing Kun-Go Pei Kee are one of the pairs that Nova wants to split up.
Bing Kun-Pei Kee were only combined in July and competed in four tournaments including the ongoing Korean Open in Suwon.
The duo suffered early round exits in all their competitions and Nova does not believe they can go far together.
Nova along with national coaching director Rexy Mainaky also want Pei Kee to focus on women’s doubles with Teoh Mei Xing after this.
“I want to split up Bing Kun-Pei Kee.
“We have tried them in a few tournaments and their results have not been good,” said Nova.
“Rexy wants Pei Kee to focus on women’s doubles for now. I will find another partner for Bing Kun.”
