Rexy Mainaky pointed to Indonesian greats Mohammad Ahsan-Hendra Setiawan as an ideal example as to how Malaysian badminton could benefit from independent shuttlers training with national players.
Tommy Sugiarto and Praveen Jordan-Melati Oktavianti were also among the professional shuttlers actively helping their country on the international stage alongside Hendra-Ahsan.Rexy, Malaysia's national doubles coaching director, said the world number five helped their younger shuttlers immensely by training under the same roof at their National Training Centre.
“Ahsan-Hendra are professional shuttlers with their own sponsors, but they train with the national team. The Indonesian younger shuttlers have learnt well and certainly benefited from them,” Rexy told Stadium Astro.
The Indonesian handler was commenting on the invitation by the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) to the professional shuttlers for training and weekly matchplay sessions.
Rexy confirmed no professional shuttlers took up the offer just yet, but reiterated that both parties training with each other would be a win-win situation.
“Take Yew Sin-Ee Yi for instance. Their results have been good so far, and sparring with the likes of Aaron Chia-Wooi Yik would only help both pairs. The same goes for all the shuttlers with the same standard,” he added.
The BAM had invited independent Malaysian shuttlers in the top 50 and top 30 in the singles and doubles categories respectively.
Lee Zii Jia, Liew Daren, Yew Sin-Ee Yi, Goh Jin Wei, Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing and Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai were the professional shuttlers meeting those requirements, should they be interested.
