Badminton Association of Malaysia intends to split partnership of Kien Keat, Boon Heong
Men’s Doubles experts Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong failed to hit the mark in London Olympics and Badminton Association of Malaysia is thinking to split the seven-year old partnership.
The World Number eight duo qualified for the semi-finals but they could not proceed and lost to Cai Yun-Fu Haifeng of China.
They could not fetch even a bronze medal and got pale in front of Korean pair Chung Jae Sung-Lee Yong Dae in play-off round of the mega event.
Though, BAM president Datuk Seri Nadzmi Salleh appreciated their effort in London but in the same breath he also showed dissatisfaction over their failure to display elevated craft.
Nadzmi mentioned their last match when they could not show the required coordination and blundered at a crucial stage. He feels that the duo has touched its peak and it will be only descending in the future.
He said, “It looks as they have reached their peak. Their game has stagnated and I can’t see them going any higher.”
Moreover, he also briefed that coaches are also disappointed with their below par performance and now the association and coaches have decided to break their partnership and field both shuttlers with youngsters.
Nadzmi thinks that this will push them to put their best to reclaim their lost status in the arena and it will also help younger lot to learn from these maestros.
He said, “Hopefully by pairing them up with younger players will help them to perform better. This will give them a challenge to revive their aspiration and allow them to hit a new peak in their careers.”
However, the association is not going to make any decision without the consideration of coaching and training committee as Nadzmi stated that this will be the top agenda in their next meeting.
He commented that after the recommendation of coaches Kien Keat and Boon Heong will join hands with new partners and their performance will be closely watched.
He said, “All these will be discussed at length during the next coaching and training committee meeting. We can try in the next few months (with other partners) and see whether they can really excel or not.”
Later, the BAM president also commended Lee Chong Wei for putting a great fight in London Games and bringing home an Olympic medal.
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