Another chance for Chong Wei, doubles

THEY failed where it mattered most — in the World Championships
— but Lee Chong Wei and doubles Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong have been given a chance to put things right in the Laos Sea
Games in December.

The BA of Malaysia, in a turn of events, has decided to send a full-strength squad with two gold medals as the target.

World No 1 Chong Wei and Kien Keat-Boon Heong have never won the Sea Games men’s singles and doubles gold respectively and should utilise the opportunity to make amends after suffering yet another setback in the World Championships last month.

National singles head coach Rashid Sidek said ChongWei, despite the presence of several dark horses in Laos, will be the favourite and must go all out to end the year, at least, as the regional champion.

“BAM has set a two-gold target and Chong Wei is obviously one of our strong bets to win in Laos.

Chong Wei hasn’t been successful in the major events and he can start by winning the regional gold,” said Rashid.

“He has to, however, bewary of the threat from Indonesia’s Sony (Dwi Kuncoro) and Taufik (Hidayat) while Nguyen (Tien Minh of Vietnam) and Thailand’s Boonsak (Ponsana) could also be tricky.

“Winning the Sea Games men’s singles gold is a reputable success and Chong Wei must not miss the chance.” Chong Wei was eliminated by Sony, a two-time Sea Games winner, in the quarter-finals of the World Championships while Tien Minh defeated the Malaysian in the Singapore Open.

Besides Chong Wei, Hafiz Hashim looks assured of his place while two other slots will be a toss between several back-up players.

Kien Keat-Boon Heong will be joined by Zakry Latif-Fairuzizuan Tazari but Beijing Olympic champions Markis Kido-Hendra Setiawan will be out to stop the Malaysians from winning gold.

National doubles coach Rosman Razak said the men’s doubles gold, if won, will be a mere consolation for Kien Keat-Boon Heong after returning with only a bronze from theWorld C h a m p i o n s h i p s.

“Winning the World Championships was their target but they can make amends by securing the Sea Games gold,” said Rosman.

“Their challenge will come from Markis and Hendra who are expected to return to competition soon.” Malaysia also have a fighting chance for gold in the men’s team and women’s doubles through Wong Pei Tty-Chin Eei Hui.

BAM sent second stringers to the 2007 Korat Sea Games and this resulted in Malaysia returning with only one silver and four bronze but a full-strength squad means the two-gold target is achievable.