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Don’t worry about Pearly-Thinaah, Aaron-Wooi Yik, but where are the rest? Rexy questions coaches | Scoop
Rexy urges backup and junior players to step up as the national squad faces growing challenges. — Scoop file pic, September 16, 2024
Sports

Don’t worry about Pearly-Thinaah, Aaron-Wooi Yik, but where are the rest? Rexy questions coaches

After Pearly and Thinaah’s Hong Kong win, Rexy Mainaky challenges coaches to focus on elevating Malaysia’s backup and junior players to close the gap with top performers

Main Author Image
Fabian Peter
Updated
5:39 PM MYT

 

KUALA LUMPUR – National women’s doubles pair, Pearly Tan and M. Thinaah’s victory at the Hong Kong Open yesterday was the perfect Malaysia Day gift, proving that hard work can make anything possible.

However, Akademi Badminton Malaysia (ABM) coaching director Rexy Mainaky cautions that others, particularly the backup and junior players, should not become complacent while celebrating Pearly and Thinaah’s win.

While the world number eight Malaysians’ first title in two years is a reason to celebrate, Rexy quickly reminded his coaching staff of the importance of consistent hard work and the results their roles demand.

Speaking to Scoop, Rexy noted that players like Pearly and Thinaah, as well as two-time men’s doubles Olympic bronze medallists Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik, are already at a stage where they require minimal supervision from their coaches.

Instead, he stressed the need for coaches to focus on closing the quality gap between these top pairs and the rest of the national team.

“Pearly and Thinaah’s win in Hong Kong was well-deserved. They are a great pair,” said Rexy.

“My challenge now is: where are the others?

“Since the Paris Olympics, we’ve seen our top players perform well, which shows that we are doing things right.

“But why are we still struggling to close the gap? I hope the juniors and backup players will learn from their successful teammates and not just bask in their glory.

“We coaches also play a vital role in applying the methods that worked for these top pairs to the rest of the squad.

“Pairs like Pearly and Thinaah, or Aaron and Wooi Yik, need very little supervision at this stage. We just need to monitor them and ensure their emotions and mental state are in check,” Rexy explained.

The former world and Olympic champion has a valid point, as beyond the top pairs mentioned, the national squad still lacks depth.

Earlier this month, men’s doubles pair Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin Rumsani turned independent after their Japan Open win. Yesterday, Scoop also reported that the women’s doubles pair Anna Cheong and Low Yeen Yuan will be released at the end of the month.

It is understood that more players are expected to leave the national team, further depleting the squad’s experience.

However, with the World Junior Championships approaching (September 30 to October 13), this is the ideal time for the national juniors to step up.

These players also have a full Olympic cycle ahead, giving them the chance to qualify for the 2028 Los Angeles Games. — September 16, 2024

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