Friday January 25, 2013
Liu Ying to play in mixed and women’s doubles after pow-wow
By RAJES PAUL
Goh Liu Ying will give equal attention to both mixed and women’s doubles until after the World Championships in August. KUALA LUMPUR: Shuttler Goh Liu Ying’s dilemma on which event — the mixed doubles or women’s doubles - is more important to her has finally been solved.
Yesterday, after a meeting between the doubles coaches and players at Stadium Juara in Bukit Kiara, it was decided that the pretty-faced Liu Ying will give equal attention to both events until after the World Championships in Guangzhou in August.
Liu Ying, however, has been given a target – to win a medal in the mixed doubles with Chan Peng Soon for the first time at the world meet.
As for the women’s doubles, she has given a target to qualify for the world meet with Lim Yin Loo.
Liu Ying-Yin Loo are ranked 24th in the world and they will have to stay within that range to qualify for the world meet.
Earlier, Liu Ying’s participation in both events was in doubt because of her persistent knee problems, which had affected her performances at the recently concluded Maybank Malaysian Open at the Putra Stadium in Bukit Jalil. The critics believe that playing in two events would put too much strain on her knee and she would not be able to give her best in either one.
Yesterday, all uncertainties were cleared.
Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM)’s coaching and training committee chairman Ng Chin Chai, who facilitated the meeting, said an open discussion between the coaches and players had proved fruitful.
“The doubles event is a tricky one and one has to tread on it carefully. Most of our players are playing dual roles. Sometimes one feels left out when their partner is injured. The coaches are also sometimes caught in between as they want to give their best to their respective departments,” said Chin Chai.
“Today, we laid our cards out.
“The players are now clear of their roles and targets in the team. Liu Ying is still confident that she can give her best in both events and her partners are willing to stand by her. It is good that we have it all out in the open.
“She is taking all the measures to ensure that her knee does not give her any more problems.”
Chin Chai added that he was confident that Peng Soon-Liu Ying, the world No. 3, would shine in the world meet.
“This is the first year after the Olympic Games and there are changes in the pecking order and some players are slowing down. It is usually easier to win as the race is quite open. We hope Liu Ying-Peng Soon will take advantage of that,” he said.
Besides the world meet, the other important events for Liu Ying-Peng Soon are the All-England in Birmingham in March and Sudirman Cup in May.
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