Even without a badminton partner as of now, Malaysia men’s doubles shuttler Goh Sze Fei continued to be diligent in training and promised to give his best when his new partner is eventually announced.
Goh split with long-term partner Nur Izzuddin last week after eight years together after the latter cited a "lack of connection" following the pair’s early exits in two events this year.
Advertisement
As a result, Goh, who was ranked 12th with Izzuddin, would have to start from scratch again.
The 25-year-old may even have to forgo his dream of making it to the 2024 Paris Olympics if he is paired with a younger shuttler who doesn’t have a foothold at the world rankings.
Despite that, Goh said his focus would be on lending his experience to his new partner.
“Of course at the start it will be difficult. But I’m positive once we start playing together, we will get the hang of things. I have experience playing on the World Tour stage for some time now, and I hope to share that with him.
“I am also a front court player, so my new partner will be a back court shuttler. As long as we have the same goals, I’m sure we can work towards success,” Goh told Stadium Astro.
The Malacca-born already proved himself as a team player, especially in the German Open final last year when he covered almost the entire court due to Izzuddin's injury in the deciding game as they went on to win their first major title together.
Men’s doubles coach Tan Bin Shen said the national body had yet to identify Goh’s partner.
“We are still in discussion on who should partner him. Obviously one of the main criteria for selecting new partners for Sze Fei and Izzuddin is someone who is capable of having a good chemistry with them,” he said.
Meanwhile, Goh’s split with Izzuddin paved the way for Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi to provide an alternative to Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik for the men’s doubles event at the upcoming Asia Mixed Team Championships (February 14-19) in Dubai.
Malaysia are drawn in Group B of the regional affair along with India, Kazakhstan and host United Arab Emirates.
