KUALA LUMPUR – Two of Malaysia’s men’s doubles pairs, Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani and Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun, did not join the central training camp in Paris as sparring partners because they are preparing to compete in the Japan Open scheduled for August 20.
Akademi Badminton Malaysia coaching director Rexy Mainaky confirmed to Scoop that the two pairs did not follow the badminton squad to Paris.
“We had this discussion earlier as we want to focus on Aaron (Chia)-(Soh) Wooi Yik’s preparations, but at the same time, we also do not want to disrupt the preparations of Sze Fei-Izzuddin and Wei Chong-Kai Wun because, after the Olympics, there will be other tournaments.
“Their training programmes have been planned earlier, so bringing them there (to Paris) would disrupt their preparations for the Japan Open.
“The players we are bringing to Paris are designated as sparring partners, while Sze Fei-Izzuddin and Wei Chong-Kai Wun are not players at that level.
“I do not want this to be an issue. All decisions are made based on discussions together.
“We can propose to bring them, but if the players themselves choose to stay here and continue their training sessions, they can do so,” said Rexy when contacted.
The Japan Open will be the first tournament for Sze Fei-Izzuddin and Wei Chong-Kai Wun after a two-month break, with both pairs’ last appearance at the Indonesia Open in June.
In the Indonesia Open, Wei Chong-Kai Wun made a surprise run to the final before their defeat to Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang from China.
The national squad departed for Aire-sur-la-Lys in northern France on Friday, accompanied by 12 sparring partners.
Among them were Choong Hon Jian and Muhammad Haikal Nazri, Goh Boon Zhe and Rayner Beh, as well as Liew Xun and Wong Vin Sean to help Aaron-Wooi Yik and Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei.
Meanwhile, Teoh Mei Xing and Go Pei Kee joined two Indonesian pairs – Ade Yusuf Santoso and Gerardo Rizqullah Hafidz, and Alfian Firsada and Rian Swastedian – to assist women’s doubles Pearly Tan and M. Thinaah.
Rexy added that every decision is a result of mutual discussion, and it was Aaron-Wooi Yik who personally suggested the list of players to be their sparring partners in Paris. – July 15, 2024