KUALA LUMPUR: It is not the end of the world for badminton players, who did not make the cut for the upcoming Phnom Penh Sea Games in May.
In fact, Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM) doubles coaching director Rexy Mainaky has challenged them to prove their worth and aim to play in bigger events such as the Sudirman Cup, Asian Games and World Championships this year.
Last week the national body announced a 20-member squad for the biennial Games, which saw them leaving out household names, including former world No 10 Goh Sze Fei, Nur Izzuddin Rumsani, Wan Arif Wan Junaidi and Haikal Nazri.
Speaking to Timesport today, Rexy said: "These players have been up there, they shouldn't feel demotivated for missing out on the Sea Games squad.
"If anything, I want players like Sze Fei and Izzuddin to inspire their new partners to achieve greater success.
"We have so many major tournaments this year such as the Sudirman Cup (May), World Championships (August) and the Asian Games (September). If they can do well in the tournaments we've registered them for, they stand an equal chance as anybody to make the cut (for these major events).
"Let's not forget, the one-year Olympic qualifiers in May is also an open affair.
"Our top players are currently in Europe for the European leg of the World Tour, while the rest will compete in Asia (Thailand International Challenge, Super 100 China Masters, Vietnam International Challenge and Osaka International Challenge).
"The backup players must prove themselves in these lower tier tournaments first."
Following the inevitable split of Sze Fei and Izzuddin in January, the duo have been paired up with Choong Hon Jian and Haikal respectively while Arif is now with Yap Roy King.
Both Hon Jian and Roy King are part of the Sea Games squad.
Sze Fei-Hon Jian and Arif-Roy King are currently in Nakhon Ratchasima for the Thailand IC, while Izzuddin-Haikal will join their teammates in Ruichang next week for the China Masters.