Badminton

Sze Fei looks to resume Olympic dream with new partner

KUALA LUMPUR: The dream of qualifying for the 2024 Paris Olympics is all but over for men's badminton doubles specialist Goh Sze Fei but he has not given up hope on qualifying for the world's biggest sporting event in the future with a new partner.

The men's doubles shuttler recently split up with his former partner, Nur Izzuddin Rumsani, after failing to produce the desired results in recent months.

Both players are expected to be paired up with younger players. An announcement from the Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM) can be expected very soon.

Speaking to the press after his training session yesterday, Sze Fei, who won the German Open last year with Izzuddin, said: "My dream like everyone else is to be a champion.

"And it's important that my future partner is someone who shares similar goals with me. Only then can we work together.

"Right now, I've been focusing on my own training and waiting for our coach (Rexy Mainaky) to make an announcement on who my new partner will be.

"As for the 2028 Olympics, yes why not? I'll have to discuss with my coaches and new partner on this."

Sze Fei, 25, admitted that it will take some time to adapt to a new partnership but he will not let that stop him from achieving his dreams.

"It's part of being a badminton player. At the start, it will be difficult but we cannot stop training," he added.

Sze Fei disclosed that he is more of a front court player which means his next partner will need to be a back court specialist with attacking prowess.

The Melaka-born is also ready to play a mentoring role by sharing his experience with his new partner.

"I believe this is my responsibility. As a player who has been here for a while now, I must guide my new partner by sharing my experience.

"Hopefully, it will work out well for us," said Sze Fei.

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