KUALA LUMPUR: IT has been five years since Lee Chong Wei last claimed victory as the local champion in the prestigious Malaysia Open.
In the subsequent three editions (with tournaments not taking place in 2020 and 2021 due to Covid-19), no local player or pair succeeded in reaching the final.
Furthermore, last year marked the poorest performance since 2015, with the local challenge being eliminated in the quarter-finals.
BAM Coaching Director Rexy Mainaky is cautiously optimistic that the dry spell may finally come to an end at the upcoming Malaysia Open.
Rexy believes that all the players share the common goal of reclaiming glory on home soil and are well aware of the high expectations from local fans.
"If you were to ask me, I definitely want to see our players perform well and secure the titles," emphasised Rexy.
"As the Coaching Director, it can't be that I target just five quarter-finalists. We will work towards that goal. Obviously, it's not only my hope but the players' as well, as they undoubtedly desire nothing more than to become champions in their own backyard," said Rexy.
"At the same time, we also have to be realistic, considering the stiff competition level.
"Our players have prepared the best they can for the tournament, and now it's all up to them to translate the home advantage into an added motivation to win."
On paper, the home fans can rely on the proven World Tour winners — men's singles player Lee Zii Jia, men's doubles duo Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, women's doubles pair Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah, and mixed doubles pair Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei — to deliver some cheer.
Encouragingly, there were two finalists the last time the World Tour made its stop at the Malaysia Masters in May last year.
The men's pair Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun and the women's duo Pearly-Thinaah both came runners-up.