Coach Kim Hock in favour of sending younger pairs for world meet

Discussion in 'World Championships 2005' started by hcyong, Apr 12, 2005.

  1. hcyong

    hcyong Regular Member

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    From www.thestar.com.my

    KUALA LUMPUR: A change of guards is in the works for the Malaysian challenge in the men's doubles of the World Badminton Championships, which will be held in Los Angeles from Aug 15-21.

    Although the seniors are still in with a shot to qualify for the championships, national chief coach Yap Kim Hock is now in favour of sending the younger batch of doubles players.

    And barring any injuries, the back-up pairs of Tan Bin Shen-Ong Soon Hock, Mohd Fairuzizuan Tazari-Lin Woon Fui and Chan Chong Ming-Koo Kien Keat are set to make their debuts in the world meet.

    Malaysian Open semi-finalists Bin Shen-Soon Hock are currently the highest ranked Malaysian pair at number 12 while Mohd Fairuzizuan-Woon Fui and Chong Ming-Kien Keat are at 15th and 16th spots respectively.


    ON TOP: Tan Bin Shen (left) and Ong Soon Hock are currently the highest ranked Malaysian pair at number 12.
    Kim Hock had wanted to keep the option alive for veteran doubles player Lee Wan Wah to compete in the world meet with Choong Tan Fook. The pair were the semi-finalists in the 2001 world meet in Seville.

    Wan Wah has not seen international action since the Athens Olympics last August with Tan Fook but the duo are still ranked 19th.

    Tan Fook now has another senior player, Chew Choon Eng, as his partner but they are unlikely to qualify for the world meet. They are now ranked 21st and may drift out of contention once the ranking points from the Japan Open are taken into account this week.

    Malaysia can send a maximum of three pairs if all of them are among the top 24 based on the May 19 world rankings.

    The qualifying period ends after the Sudirman Cup world mixed team championship, which will be held in Beijing from May 10-15. But it is unlikely that there will be drastic changes to the rankings after this championship.

    Kim Hock said that it was unlikely that the seniors would be in with a chance to challenge for honours based on their current form.

    “Bin Shen-Soon Hock, Mohd Fairuzizuan-Woon Fui and Chong Ming-Kien Keat should be assured of places based on their current rankings,†he said.

    “If I send the seniors, they cannot win the title. It is better to give the younger pairs the chance to compete in the world meet. It will be valuable experience for them.â€

    On whether this will mark the change of guards for Malaysian badminton, Kim Hock said that one could also see it this way.

    “I intend to keep these players (younger players) together until the next Olympics (in Beijing in 2008). We have to build up the players ahead of the Thomas Cup campaign next year.â€

    The doubles players have not been impressive in the Open tournaments this year. None of the Malaysian pairs made it past the first two rounds in the Japan Open last week.

    Mohd Fairuzizuan-Woon Fui emerged as the best performers – bowing out to reigning world champions Jonas Rasmussen-Lars Paaske of Denmark in the second round.

    Kim Hock said that the remaining four months would be crucial for the players.

    “The back-up players can even create some surprises if they prepare well in the coming months,†said Kim Hock.
     
  2. wl2172

    wl2172 Regular Member

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    Absolutely the right thing to do.

    Well done Kim Hock
     

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