KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 24 (Bernama) -- After several weeks of preparation and training, chief coach Rexy Mainaky declared that the men's doubles pairs were ready to battle it out for the prestigious All England Open title in Birmingham, England next month.
The 40-year-old former Olympic champion said their chances of winning was always there but they have to display a high level of fighting spirit while competing on the court.
He was asked about the chances of three Malaysian pairs to recapture the men's doubles title won by Koo Kien Keat/Tan Boon Heong in 2007.
The three pairs are Koo Kien Keat/Tan Boon Heong who are seeded third, Mohd Zakry Abdul Latif/Mohd Fairuzizuan Mohd Tazari (4th seed), and unseeded pair Gan Teik Chai/Tan Bin Shen.
"Physically they are ready for the intense battle but for now all depends on their psychological or mental strength which is very important," he said.
"We have been going through the best form of training. Now everything will depend on their ability to put what they had practiced into play," he told Bernama after a training session at the Bukit Kiara Indoor Stadium here, Tuesday.
The 99th All England championships, the oldest badminton tournament in the world begins on March 3 to March 8 and held at the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham.
Asked on the Chinese team's appearance in the tournament, Rexy said the most important element for Malaysian pairs is not to lose their focus while playing.
"It doesn't matter if they are facing Chinese or other opponents, the main thing is not to lose focus because the slightest indication will give their opponents room to attack.
"If they can maintain their focus throughout the match, they will play a more coordinated game and remain steady to face any problems," said Rexy who partnered Ricky Subagja to form the most successful pair during the 1990s, including winning the men's doubles gold at the Atlanta Olympics in 1996.
The 17-member team comprising Chong Wei, Wong Choong Hann, Sairul Amar Ayob, Lee Tsuen Seng (men's singles), Koo Kien Keat/Tan Boon Heong, Mohd Zakry Abdul Latif/Mohd Fairuzizuan Mohd Tazari, Gan Teik Chai/Tan Bin Shen (men's doubles) Julia Wong Pei Xian (women's singles), Chin Wei Hui/Wong Pei Tty, Haw Chiou Hwee/Lim Pek Siah, Goh Liu Ying/Ng Hui Lin (women's doubles) will depart to England on Friday.
-- BERNAMA
The 40-year-old former Olympic champion said their chances of winning was always there but they have to display a high level of fighting spirit while competing on the court.
He was asked about the chances of three Malaysian pairs to recapture the men's doubles title won by Koo Kien Keat/Tan Boon Heong in 2007.
The three pairs are Koo Kien Keat/Tan Boon Heong who are seeded third, Mohd Zakry Abdul Latif/Mohd Fairuzizuan Mohd Tazari (4th seed), and unseeded pair Gan Teik Chai/Tan Bin Shen.
"Physically they are ready for the intense battle but for now all depends on their psychological or mental strength which is very important," he said.
"We have been going through the best form of training. Now everything will depend on their ability to put what they had practiced into play," he told Bernama after a training session at the Bukit Kiara Indoor Stadium here, Tuesday.
The 99th All England championships, the oldest badminton tournament in the world begins on March 3 to March 8 and held at the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham.
Asked on the Chinese team's appearance in the tournament, Rexy said the most important element for Malaysian pairs is not to lose their focus while playing.
"It doesn't matter if they are facing Chinese or other opponents, the main thing is not to lose focus because the slightest indication will give their opponents room to attack.
"If they can maintain their focus throughout the match, they will play a more coordinated game and remain steady to face any problems," said Rexy who partnered Ricky Subagja to form the most successful pair during the 1990s, including winning the men's doubles gold at the Atlanta Olympics in 1996.
The 17-member team comprising Chong Wei, Wong Choong Hann, Sairul Amar Ayob, Lee Tsuen Seng (men's singles), Koo Kien Keat/Tan Boon Heong, Mohd Zakry Abdul Latif/Mohd Fairuzizuan Mohd Tazari, Gan Teik Chai/Tan Bin Shen (men's doubles) Julia Wong Pei Xian (women's singles), Chin Wei Hui/Wong Pei Tty, Haw Chiou Hwee/Lim Pek Siah, Goh Liu Ying/Ng Hui Lin (women's doubles) will depart to England on Friday.
-- BERNAMA
Comments
Post a Comment