PETALING JAYA: Rosman Razak’s (pic) main goal as an independent coach is to help men’s doubles Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi and mixed doubles Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing and Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie realise their dreams of qualifying for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Rosman, who will take charge of the three pairs and other independent combinations currently under the care of outgoing coach Chin Eei Hui on Jan 1, said that it will not be an easy task but he wants to take it as a challenge.
A nation is allowed a maximum of two pairs for the Olympics provided they are in the top eight when the Olympic qualifying period ends at the end of April 2024.
Yew Sin-Ee Yi, ranked world No. 8, and Kian Meng-Pei Jing, (No. 6) and Soon Huat-Shevon (No. 10) are well-placed and have a realistic chance of securing their maiden Olympic berths in Paris.
Rosman, who has resigned as the head coach of the Philippines national team to return to Malaysia, said the key is to keep up the momentum when the one-year Olympic qualifying period kicks off in May next year.
“As a coach, I want to help the independent pairs qualify for the Olympics and the three pairs also have the same dream and desire to play in Paris. So, we are on the same page and it will be easier to guide them,” said Rosman, who is in Ipoh to guide the Philippines players at the Malaysian International Challenge which started yesterday.
“The competition in the men’s doubles is very stiff as any of the top 15 pairs can qualify while there are many new pairs doing well in the mixed doubles.
“It is not going to be an easy task for them to qualify and they need to be prepared to fight all the way.
“Consistency during the Olympic qualifying period will be crucial for them to make it to the 2024 Paris.”
The independent pairs will not only have to fight it out against the pairs from rival nations but will also be in a tussle against Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) combinations.
Yew Sin-Ee Yi, particularly, will be involved in a close fight with world No. 4 Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik and world No. 10 Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani for the Olympic slots.
Besides the three pairs, Rosman will also guide other independent pairs like men’s doubles Goh V Shem-Low Juan Shen, Tan Wee Kiong-Kian Meng, mixed doubles Chan Peng Soon-Cheah Yee See and women’s doubles Vivian Hoo-Lim Chiew Sien when he starts in January.
Eei Hui, on the other hand, will venture abroad where she will become a coach at the North Harbour club in Auckland, New Zealand, in February.
