Zakry and Fairuzizuan decide to become independent players

[jug8man]

http://thestar.com.my/sports/story.a...516&sec=sports

Sunday August 21, 2011


PETALING JAYA: Two of the longest serving doubles players Mohd Zakry Abdul Latif and Mohd Fairuzizuan Mohd Tazari have left the national badminton team.

It was revealed at the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) exco meeting last night that Zakry and Fairuzizuan have left the national elite squad after 15 years of service.

The departure of Zakry and Fairuzizuan will not be good news to doubles head coach Rexy Mainaky, who is currently on holiday, with the London Olympic qualifying campaign in full swing.

The qualifying campaign began in May and it has narrowed down to Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong as the only strong candidate to represent the country in men’s doubles at the London Olympics next year.

It has also left BAM without a capable second or third doubles pairing as they prepare for the Thomas Cup Finals in China next year.

BAM president Datuk Seri Mohd Nadzmi Mohd Salleh said they have accepted the resignation of the duo without setting any conditions.

“Zakry and Fairuziziun sent their resignation letters to BAM on Aug 17 stating their intention to become independent players.

“We took into account their contributions to the country all this while, including the Thomas Cup, World Championships and SEA Games.

“The exco decided to let them go without tying them to any conditions,” he said.

Fairuzizuan was partnering Ong Soon Hock while Zakry’s last partner was Hoon Thien How.

Fairuzizuan and Zakry savoured the best moments of their career when they won back-to-back titles – the Singapore and Indonesian Super Series not long after they were teamed up by Rexy in 2008.

The pair reached as high as No. 4 in the world rankings but they struggled to find their footing on the international scene after that and Rexy subsequently split them.

Fairuzizuan-Soon Hock did not qualify for the recent World Championships in London but Zakry-Thien How were invited to take part and reached the second round.

On the positions of Thien How and Soon Hock, Nadzmi added he will leave it to the training and coaching committee to decide.

The BAM exco also decided yesterday that any independent players who qualified for the London Olympics on merit will be assured of participation.

BAM secretary Ng Chin Chai said it is two separate criterias when it comes to the world meet and the Olympics.

“BAM can decide on whom are the more suitable players to carry the challenge for the country at the world championships but at the Olympics, the rules are clear – who makes the cut, they will go regardless of whether they are in the national team or not.”

[Cheung]

BAM secretary Ng Chin Chai said it is two separate criterias when it comes to the world meet and the Olympics.

I'd say if that is so, then they seriously have to look again at their criteria to make it fairer and more transparent.

[eaglehelang]

Now that Fuzzy has decided to be back together, perhaps the mods can re-open Fuzzy pair's thread

[eaglehelang]

Badminton: Zakry, Fairuz reunite, but at BAM's expense

K.M. Boopathy
boopathy@nst.com.my
2011/08/21

FORMER doubles partners Zakry Latif and Fairuzizuan Tazari further shocked an already depleted national squad as they have quit the BA of Malaysia (BAM) to reunite as a professional pair.
The duo submitted their resignation on Wednesday and BAM not only gave its consent but the pair can start competing on the international circuit immediately as the association did not impose the two-year ban it does on players who leave the national team.

"Zakry and Fairuz have decided to leave the national team and we have given our blessings. We are not imposing any bans on them as they have served the nation in several major events," said BAM president Datuk Seri Nadzmi Salleh yesterday.

"They can start competing on the international stage and try to fight for Olympic qualification.

"BAM will also give equal chance to independent players to qualify for the Olympics based on the qualification criteria set by the Badminton World Federation (BWF). If any independent players or pairs make the cut, including Zakry-Fairuz, we will enter them."

National doubles coach Rexy Mainaky, who seemed to have an inkling the duo would be quitting BAM, said in an e-mail that it was a pity Zakry and Fairuz didn't give themselves a chance to battle for a place in the London Olympics with their current partners.

Fairuz and current partner Ong Soon Hock are ranked World No 18 while Zakry-Hoon Thien How are 24th.

"It's a bit of a surprise. To be honest, they are still good players and it's a pity they didn't want to play until the Olympic qualification ends," stated Rexy, who is in Holland.

http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/l...icle/art_print

[kwun]

can somebody analyse... is this a good thing or a bad thing?

[concretemad]

good since has been no much result. more chance for the younger players and they too may find a better platform to 'practise'.

[eaglehelang]

can somebody analyse... is this a good thing or a bad thing?

Boss, good or bad thing to whom? Players ? BAM ? Malaysian baddy?

[undeadshot]

BAM has wasted a load of money on this pair and now the world 18th and 24th pairs have been split up. Lets kiss our hopes of a third Malaysian representative in the Olympics goodbye... unless CPS/GLY make it.

[limsy]

after wasted so many money and others chance
its a good news to many

[ngu87]

I witnessed them played in Sibu Badminton Open 2011 this morning. Both playing as a pair and they won. Was nice to meet them.

[Dato A]

I witnessed them played in Sibu Badminton Open 2011 this morning. Both playing as a pair and they won. Was nice to meet them.

Who are their opponent?

CY/FHF? MK/HS? JJS/LYD?

Or Mutusamy/Ali? Ah Lim/Mamat?

[ngu87]

they were palying against some local players.

[nokh88]

Should have taken part and gain some valuable experience.

[Dato A]

Should have taken part and gain some valuable experience.

15 years already...still have to gain experience from playing those micky mouse tournament kah?

[desmond0806]

I witnessed them played in Sibu Badminton Open 2011 this morning. Both playing as a pair and they won. Was nice to meet them.

their finals today

[nokh88]

As you said it Dato, they have 15 years of experience. Time for them to teach others or wasted 15 years in BAM.

[eaglehelang]

15 years already...still have to gain experience from playing those micky mouse tournament kah?

I think he's refering to ngu87 lah, for them to learn from Fuzzy, the ... good stuff on badminton. Sure they know something after all those years as national player