Change of guard in men’s doubles department

DOUBLES head coach Cheah Soon Kit will focus on Under-21 players to strengthen the men’s doubles department while the seniors, including Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong, will be handled by Paulus Firman.

Soon Kit said the arrangement has been made even before Malaysia's 3-1 quarter-final defeat to Indonesia in the Thomas Cup Finals on Thursday.

“It's obvious that the doubles department need solid back-up pairs. I'll have more time now to do this,” said Soon Kit.

It is learnt that several senior players had met the Badminton Association of Malaysia ( BAM) seeking a new coach before the Finals.

“There is no dispute. The BAM have made this arrangement and I'm okay with it. I've no control over this,” he said.

Soon Kit admitted the men's doubles failed to win points but he was pleased with their fighting spirit.

“V Shem-Wee Kiong and AaronEe Yi's matches went down to the wire.

“In our post-mortem, we have to find out why our players could not last the pace.”

Soon Kit admitted that Malaysia needed new blood and he was happy with Aaron's exploits in the Finals.

Soon Kit selected Aaron and Soh Wooi Yik, who had been playing together for the last six months, to give them an early exposure in the Finals.

“Aaron played with Ee Yi but I'll pair him with Wooi Yik at the Malaysian Open (in July),” added Soon Kit.

Asked about whether there would be changes in partnerships, Soon Kit said: “We've to speak to the players but nothing will take place until the World Championships in August ( in Nanjing, China).”