KUALA LUMPUR: BAM coaching director Rexy Mainaky wants more competition among the national shuttlers to turn them into world-beaters.
According to the former world champion, the national men's doubles department has a competitive edge that sets them a level above the rest.
On Sunday, junior pair Aaron Tai-Kang Khai Xing clinched their maiden senior title by winning the Thailand International Challenge in Korat.
Wan Arif Wan Junaidi-Yap Roy King also impressed by reaching their first World Tour final, finishing runners-up at the Super 300 Spain Masters in Madrid.
It's worth mentioning that Arif-Roy King were only playing in their second tournament of the year after a lengthy layoff due to a knee injury sustained by the latter in December.
"From what I see, the competition among players in the men's doubles department is very different from the rest. Players like Aaron Tai and Khai Xing are aware of this and have taken the opportunity to improve themselves.
a
"They know they have stronger seniors, but they are not afraid to go all out to fight them in training. This is the attitude I want to see from the other players too," said Rexy.
Rexy said it is not impossible for singles players and coaches to adopt a similar style of thinking.
"Right now, we have a few departments, like the women's singles, which are not as competitive as the men's doubles. This is what I want to work towards, but also trust the coaching staff to know what is best."
Meanwhile, Rexy shared that there has been a slight change to the daily training programme ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics in July.
Rexy explained that special attention will be given to players under the Road to Gold (RTG) programme during morning sessions, while the full session for everyone will be in the afternoon.
"The arrangement is only until the Paris Olympics. Either way, the Olympic-bound players will still need to compete at the Asian Championships this month," Rexy explained.
The Asian Championships, the final tournament on the one-year Olympic qualifying roster, is scheduled on April 9-14 in Ningbo, China.