KUALA LUMPUR: The decision to leave the national badminton team is entirely up to the players and does not reflect any issues within the parent body, said Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM) coaching director Rexy Mainaky.
He urged badminton fans to view the situation positively, as these players still represent Malaysia, even as professionals.
"I don't think there's any issue with the governing body. Players who turn pro have their own plans.
"It's not about BAM (BA of Malaysia) being inadequate. In the end, we all want what's best for Malaysia. Maybe they've received better offers elsewhere," Rexy told Bernama at ABM in Bukit Kiara today.
Rexy was responding to rumours that national women's doubles players Anna Cheong and Low Yeen Yuen are leaving the national team at the end of the month.
Men's doubles pair Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani parted ways earlier, officially leaving on Sept 1.
Rexy also confirmed that ABM officials will meet on Sept 24 to discuss a coaching reshuffle and plans to reduce the number of players in both the senior and junior national squads.
Additionally, the coaching team are focused on improving the performance of junior players transitioning to the senior squad in a bid to close the gap between them and the country's top pairs, Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik and Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah.
"In men's doubles, it's true we don't have pairs at Aaron-Wooi Yik's level yet, but progress is being made. Meanwhile, our women's doubles players are still very young—16, 17, and 18—and need time to develop," he added. -- Bernama