PETALING JAYA: Change always comes with risk, but national men’s doubles shuttlers must embrace it as they navigate partner reshuffles and set their sights on delivering Malaysia’s first gold medal at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
National doubles coaching director Rexy Mainaky said the recent shake-up within the national set-up forces players to step outside their comfort zone, and hoped it would be a catalyst for improved results as the country thirsts for its first Olympic gold.
According to Rexy, the uncertainty that comes with new partnerships could be exactly what the players need to elevate their game.
“When players get comfortable, that does not mean the results will get better, does it?” questioned Rexy.
“Of course, new partnerships have risks. But there were also risks if we retained the original pairs.
“Players understand that it is an opportunity to start from zero again. They are no longer in their comfort zones and they have to take advantage of the opportunity to prove themselves.”
Rexy said several of Malaysia’s top pairs have been struggling in recent tournaments, including world No. 3 Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, who fell at the Indonesian Open second round to young Indonesian pair Raymond Indra-Nikolaus Joaquin earlier this month.
The changes will see Aaron partner youngster Aaron Tai for the China Open (July 21-26), Taipei Open (July 28-Aug 2), and the Korean Open (Nov 3-8), while Wooi Yik joins Man Wei Chong for the tournaments.
Tee Kai Wun will be partnering with Yap Roy King, while Wan Arif Wan Junaidi will play with Kang Khai Xing.
Aaron and Kai Wun, who were initially set to be partners at the Japan Open, will only start their partnership during the European leg due to not having enough points to qualify for the Japan Open.
Meanwhile, Rexy added that players need to snap out of the mindset of just aiming for medals at the Olympics as gold should be the only thing on their minds.
“We always say we target medals. So players’ mentality is that they are happy to participate at the Olympics.
“We have already gotten silver, and we have gotten bronze. We have to go for gold.
“From now on, players have to know that competing at the Olympics is not just for medals, but for the gold medal,” he said.
