KUALA LUMPUR: National coaching director Rexy Mainaky has called on Malaysian shuttlers to end the nation's title drought at next month's World Tour Finals (WTF) in Hangzhou.
World No. 7 Lee Zii Jia will lead the Malaysian contingent, joined by five pairs competing in the prestigious season-ending tournament from Dec 11-15, which offers a prize purse of US$2.5 million (RM11.18 million).
The Malaysian entries include world No. 5 Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani (men's doubles), Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah (women's doubles), Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai and Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei (mixed doubles).
Malaysia last tasted success in this event in 2017 when former world No. 1 Datuk Lee Chong Wei captured his fourth Super Series Finals title.
However, since its rebranding by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) as the World Tour Finals in 2018, no Malaysian player has claimed the crown.
This year marks the first time Malaysia have six entries in the tournament, and Rexy believes this represents the nation's best chance yet to break the drought.
"We have six entries at the BWF World Tour Finals, and our players must seize this opportunity to win a title," said Rexy.
"Qualification was especially tough this year. Zii Jia and Aaron-Wooi Yik had to battle until this week's China Masters to secure their spots. Since they've worked so hard to qualify, their goal should be to end the title drought."
Rexy applauded Aaron-Wooi Yik's determination despite setbacks, including the latter's right toe surgery after their bronze medal finish at the Paris Olympics in August.
The pair missed four crucial tournaments — the Japan Open (Super 750), Korea Open (Super 500), Hong Kong Open (Super 500), and China Open (Super 1000) — before making their return in October at the Arctic Open (Super 500) and Denmark Open (Super 750).
Their campaign regained momentum when they claimed the Super 300 Korea Masters title three weeks ago.
However, their qualification hopes were briefly thrown into doubt after a second-round exit at the Kumamoto Masters (Super 500) and a quarter-final defeat at the ongoing China Masters (Super 750).
Their spot was eventually secured when Japan's Takuro Hoki-Yugo Kobayashi, their closest rivals, fell short in the China Masters quarter-finals.
Hoki-Kobayashi needed to win the tournament to overtake Aaron-Wooi Yik in the rankings.
"Aaron-Wooi Yik's qualification is a testament to their self-belief, hard work, and a touch of luck," said Rexy. "The results of other pairs, particularly Hoki-Kobayashi, worked in their favour.
"Wooi Yik couldn't train for three weeks post-surgery and only resumed in late September. Now that they've made it this far, they must aim to challenge for the title despite the intense competition in the men's doubles."
The players have until Dec 2 to accept or decline the invitation to compete in Hangzhou.