MALAYSIA will have four women’s pairs at the World Championships in Copenhagen, but coach Rosman Razak is not having any high hopes.
Rosman, when contacted yesterday, said it would be a bonus if any of the pairs get past the last-16 stage at next week’s event.
“This is the first time that Malaysia will be represented by four pairs. That is the maximum entry for any country.
“My expectations, however, are not high because this is the World Championships and the level of play is different.
“Last year, Vivian Hoo Kah Mun-Woon Khe Wei made it to the last 16, so it will be good if any of our pairs could go further this year.”
Rosman said Vivian-Khe Wei had done well to win gold at the Commonwealth Games, and he is now hoping for them to maintain that momentum.
“There is really nothing much that can be done now, because we do not have much time.
“The Commonwealth Games have just ended, and we had to quickly shift our focus towards the World Championships. For now, I have told the girls to concentrate on their fitness.”
The other pairs are Ng Hui Lin-Ng Hui Ern, Amelia Alicia Anscelly-Soong Fie Cho and Lim Yin Loo-Lee Meng Yean.
On whether he sees it as an advantage to have four pairs this year, Rosman said: “Not really, because the draw is very tough.
“All four pairs will already face tough opponents in the second round.
“One of my targets this year was to win the Commonwealth gold, and we have achieved that. I just hope the girls can now produce a good show at the World Championships and the Asian Games.”
The national team will depart to Denmark on Tuesday.