Rexy: Don’t Just Rely On Badminton For Medals

Rexy Mainaky, Malaysia’s national badminton coach from Indonesia, has advocated for a broader focus in Malaysia’s approach to sports and Olympic preparation. In a recent statement, he emphasized the need for Malaysia to diversify its sports investments if the country aims to improve its overall Olympic medal tally. Rexy’s comments came after Malaysia’s performance at the Paris Olympics, where the national badminton team was the only one to secure medals.

Rexy praised the efforts of Malaysia’s men’s singles player Lee Zii Jia and the men’s doubles pair Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik for their commendable performances in Paris. Despite their success, he argued that relying solely on badminton for medal hopes places undue pressure on the sport and the athletes. This high-pressure environment can be detrimental and might not be the most effective strategy for securing medals at future Olympics.

“In future, let’s not expect medals only from badminton,” Rexy said, as quoted by Free Malaysia Today. He suggested that Malaysia should also invest in other sports such as athletics, swimming, gymnastics, and diving. By broadening their focus, Malaysia could uncover new avenues for achieving Olympic success and create a more balanced sports program.

Rexy proposed a strategic approach to this diversification. For instance, he recommended that Malaysia allocate funds to send athletes to train in countries with advanced sports facilities, like the United States, for extended periods – potentially four years. Such investment would provide athletes with the necessary resources and exposure to elevate their performance on the international stage.

His suggestion reflects a growing recognition that a singular focus on one sport might limit a country’s overall success. The Philippines’ recent achievement at the Paris Olympics, where gymnast Carlos Yulo won two gold medals, serves as a notable example of how targeted investment in specific sports can lead to significant achievements. The Philippines’ success underscores the potential benefits of concentrating resources and support on particular disciplines.

Malaysia’s approach at the Paris Games involved sending 26 athletes across 11 sports. However, the only podium finishes came from badminton, highlighting a potential gap in the effectiveness of the current strategy. By expanding support to other sports and ensuring comprehensive athlete development programs, Malaysia could enhance its chances of winning medals in a broader range of events in the future.

Overall, Rexy’s call for a more diversified sports investment strategy highlights the importance of creating a supportive environment for athletes across various disciplines. This approach could not only improve Malaysia’s Olympic performance but also contribute to a more robust and versatile national sports program.