Rexy makes last-ditch attempt to halt Bath trip
Latest News 2:53 PM
KUALA LUMPUR: National doubles chief coach Rexy Mainaky made a
desperate plea to the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) to abort a
centralised training stint at the Bath University on the eve of the
team’s departure for London yesterday.
Rexy said that he was not against the idea of training in isolation ahead of the world championships, which begin on Aug 23 in Paris, but felt that the team should stick together.
On Monday, the BAM made an exception for singles coach Misbun Sidek and his charge, Lee Chong Wei, allowing them to skip the stint. Yesterday, Misbun made another request for Chong Wei’s sparring partner Chan Kwong Beng to stay home too and it also received the green light.
Misbun, who cited personal reasons for opting out of the stint, will leave for Paris with Chong Wei on Aug 19.
Rexy, on the other hand, will not be with the team in Bath not because of his choice but due to visa problems.
He said that it would be good for the team to train together even though the players would be seeking individual glory in the world championships.
“If Chong Wei is staying behind, I think, the others should too. It would have been good for team’s morale if everyone is together,” said Rexy.
“I am one who appreciates the initiative of the NSI (National Sports Institute) to put so much effort in sending the team to Bath. But if one is not going, there should be the same rule for the others.”
The Indonesian said that he would not have voiced an objection if a team were to go there ahead of next year’s All-England in Birmingham or world championships in London.
“This will be ideal. I remember when we sent our boys two weeks earlier before the 2007 All-England in Birmingham and we had three semi-finalists in the men’s doubles,” he said.
“Anyway, I will accept the decision of the BAM. It is their call but I still think it is not too late to make changes,” he said.
Rexy was not the only one hoping for a change of the venue for the final stage of preparation for the world championships.
Several players, including doubles shuttler Tan Boon Heong and women’s singles player Wong Mew Choo, stated yesterday that they would be leaving the country today with a heavy heart.
Neither of them would make the trip if given the choice but they said that they would abide by the BAM decision.
Meanwhile, the BAM general manager, Kenny Goh, said that they would go ahead with the stint in Bath.
“We have made all the necessary arrangements. The team will go ahead with what has been planned,” he said.
Besides Boon Heong and Mew Choo, the other players for the stint in Bath are Mohd Hafiz Hashim, Lydia Cheah, Koo Kien Keat, Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying.
The sparring partners making the trip are Mohd Arif Abdul Latif, Lok Chong Chieh, Mak Hee Chun, Tan Wee Kiong and Lim Khim Wah.
Rexy said that he was not against the idea of training in isolation ahead of the world championships, which begin on Aug 23 in Paris, but felt that the team should stick together.
On Monday, the BAM made an exception for singles coach Misbun Sidek and his charge, Lee Chong Wei, allowing them to skip the stint. Yesterday, Misbun made another request for Chong Wei’s sparring partner Chan Kwong Beng to stay home too and it also received the green light.
Misbun, who cited personal reasons for opting out of the stint, will leave for Paris with Chong Wei on Aug 19.
Rexy, on the other hand, will not be with the team in Bath not because of his choice but due to visa problems.
He said that it would be good for the team to train together even though the players would be seeking individual glory in the world championships.
“If Chong Wei is staying behind, I think, the others should too. It would have been good for team’s morale if everyone is together,” said Rexy.
“I am one who appreciates the initiative of the NSI (National Sports Institute) to put so much effort in sending the team to Bath. But if one is not going, there should be the same rule for the others.”
The Indonesian said that he would not have voiced an objection if a team were to go there ahead of next year’s All-England in Birmingham or world championships in London.
“This will be ideal. I remember when we sent our boys two weeks earlier before the 2007 All-England in Birmingham and we had three semi-finalists in the men’s doubles,” he said.
“Anyway, I will accept the decision of the BAM. It is their call but I still think it is not too late to make changes,” he said.
Rexy was not the only one hoping for a change of the venue for the final stage of preparation for the world championships.
Several players, including doubles shuttler Tan Boon Heong and women’s singles player Wong Mew Choo, stated yesterday that they would be leaving the country today with a heavy heart.
Neither of them would make the trip if given the choice but they said that they would abide by the BAM decision.
Meanwhile, the BAM general manager, Kenny Goh, said that they would go ahead with the stint in Bath.
“We have made all the necessary arrangements. The team will go ahead with what has been planned,” he said.
Besides Boon Heong and Mew Choo, the other players for the stint in Bath are Mohd Hafiz Hashim, Lydia Cheah, Koo Kien Keat, Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying.
The sparring partners making the trip are Mohd Arif Abdul Latif, Lok Chong Chieh, Mak Hee Chun, Tan Wee Kiong and Lim Khim Wah.
Posted by Lucas Liau
on 2:53 PM.
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