Kuala Lumpur: With the 2024 PETRONAS Open Malaysia looming, Rexy Mainaky ignited a fire in Malaysian players, urging them to break their title drought and claim badminton glory on home soil.
Malaysian shuttlers have tasted the bittersweet reality of witnessing the finals from the stands since Lee Chong Wei’s 2018 triumph. This year, they aim to rewrite the script and reclaim the crown for Malaysia.
Last year’s quarter-final exits by Teo Ee Yi-Ong Yew Sin and Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei served as a stark reminder of the title drought plaguing Malaysian badminton.
The last time the national representative emerged as champion was through the former national men’s singles champion, Datuk Lee Chong Wei in the 2018 edition.
Mainaky conveyed his confidence that the Malaysian players are united in their pursuit of a shared objective and are fully aware of the lofty expectations held by local fans.
“If you were to ask me, I am certainly eager to witness our players not only perform exceptionally but also secure the championship,” said Mainaky.
“As the director of coaching, it is not enough for me to simply set a target for our players to reach the quarter-finals. We will tirelessly work towards achieving that goal,” added Mainaky.
“I am convinced that the players hold similar aspirations. However, it is crucial to maintain a realistic perspective regarding the competition posed by players from other countries.”
“At this juncture, it is incumbent upon the Malaysian players to leverage the advantage of playing on home turf as motivation to clinch the coveted title,” emphasized Mainaky, who won three titles at the Malaysia Open in 1993, 1994, and 1997.
In this tournament, Rexy is lending his support to Ng Tze Yong in men’s singles, Aaron Chia/Soh Wooi Yik in men’s doubles, Pearly Tan/M Thinaah in women’s doubles, and Chen Tang Jie/Toh Ee Wei in mixed doubles. He hopes that they will tap into their experiences from the 2023 season to deliver an even more exceptional performance as hosts.
