KUALA LUMPUR: BA of Malaysia (BAM) coaching director Rexy Mainaky has taken full responsibility for the poor performances of his shuttlers at the Petronas Malaysia Open.
For a second consecutive year, not a single Malaysian player or pair reached the semi-finals of the Super 1000 home event, with former world champions Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik being the last two to get knocked out in the last eight on Friday.
Despite all the expectations and hype, men's singles Ng Tze Yong was forced to retire in the first round with a back injury, while women's doubles Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah also failed to clear the opening round.
World No. 9 mixed doubles Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei were sent packing in the second round.
To add to Malaysian badminton woes, it has been five years since former world No. 1 Lee Chong Wei clinched his record 12th title in the prestigious home event.
"To all the fans and sponsors, I want to apologise and take responsibility for the failure of our players at the Malaysia Open.
"I understand the disappointment of the fans and the sponsors for this failure. We will try even better for the upcoming tournaments.
"Seeing that next week is the India Open, and then the Indonesia Masters after that, I must motivate the coaches and the players to do better," said Rexy through a social media post.
The Indonesian former Olympic and world champion, albeit cautiously, had targeted the national contingent to end the Malaysia Open title drought this year.
Unfortunately, it did not materialise.
In his post, Rexy also urged the players to show more hunger and determination when playing for the country, as the road to glory can never be a walk in the park.
"I hope the players will give every drop of blood, sweat, and tears in every tournament.
"Challenge and believe in yourselves; fight with a lion's heart.
"Every step towards achieving your dreams will not be easy because every other player worldwide has the same dream as you," he added.
