KUALA LUMPUR — Despite Malaysia fielding one of its strongest badminton squads for the upcoming SEA Games in Bangkok, national doubles coaching director Rexy Mainaky has cautioned that it will not be an easy outing.
Rexy said while Malaysia are sending a full-strength line-up, including reigning world champions and Olympic medallists, regional rivals Thailand and Indonesia are equally formidable and cannot be underestimated.
“Even with our strongest squad, it doesn’t guarantee we’ll win two or three gold medals,” said Rexy, after attending the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) council meeting today.
“Thailand, as hosts, will field their best team — and they always do. Indonesia, who haven’t won many titles lately, will definitely see this as a big opportunity.”
He said Malaysia’s mixed doubles and women’s doubles pairs currently present the nation’s best chances of striking gold.
“Our best opportunities are in mixed doubles and women’s doubles. For mixed doubles, it’s 50-50 because Dechapol (Puavaranukroh) and Supissara (Paewsampran) will be playing at home. For Pearly (Tan) and Thinaah (Muralitharan), if they are at their best, they can win gold.”
However, Rexy stressed that expectations must be managed, noting the demanding tournament schedule that lies ahead for Malaysia’s top players.
“The calendar is packed — Japan and Korea Opens, then the SEA Games, followed closely by the World Tour Finals. We must consider the players’ condition and recovery,” he said.
He revealed that discussions will soon take place between BAM’s newly appointed Performance Committee chairman Datuk Seri Lee Chong Wei and the coaching team to determine realistic medal targets and final preparations.
“Before the SEA Games, we’ll have a session with all the coaches and datuk seri to get his input. Only then can we set the final target,” Rexy said.
When pressed on his own expectations, Rexy gave a cautious prediction: “I’d say two and a half gold medals — meaning we could win two or maybe three, depending on how things go. That’s a realistic goal.”
Rexy said Malaysia’s men’s doubles department — led by former world champions Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik and Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun — would need to sharpen their form ahead of Bangkok.
“We’ll analyse their recent performances closely in the next two months. That’s where we’ll know where we stand,” he said.
He also confirmed that plans for an intensive centralised training camp will be discussed once all the coaches and players return from their current tournaments.
Malaysia are expected to face stiff competition in both the individual and team events, with Indonesia and Thailand likely to challenge strongly across all disciplines.
At the previous SEA Games in Cambodia, Malaysia finished without a gold, settling for two silvers and four bronzes.” — October 18, 2025