Split for a brighter future

Former international Datuk James Selvaraj, who has served BAM as a high performance director for two years, said Koo Kien Keat and Tan Boon Heong may not be able to sustain their momentum come 2016 and that Boon Heong can forge a strong partnership with V Shem if they start early.
However, Selvaraj said the new combination must be sent to grand prix tournaments first while Kien Keat-Boon Heong could still play in the Super Series until the end of the year before settling down with their new partners.
As for Kien Keat, there could be a direct switch where he could combine with V Shem's present partner Lim Khim Wah or any other player who suits his style.
Selvaraj is adamant that the current practice of having specific pairs train with different coaches must be stopped and all pairs must train under one roof so that the back-up pairs can improve faster training with the seniors.
At the moment, Kien Keat-Boon Heong are handled by Pang Cheh Chang while men's doubles chief coach Tan Kim Her and his assistant Chong Kein Ling handle seven other pairs.
"Boon Heong and V Shem have much potential and should be given the chance to partner each other. It will be very hard for Kien Keat-Boon Heong to sustain the momentum as a pair and if BAM is looking at the 2016 Olympics, it has to make a hard decision," said Selvaraj.
"Kien Keat-Boon Heong can still play in the Super Series but must compete in the grand prix events with their new partners. This will help the coaches evaluate their effectiveness. They can go full swing by January.
"Boon Heong is experienced and has got powerful smashes while V Shem is good at interceptions and at the net. The fact that V Shem is also a hard hitter and is able to play at the baseline will give their attack more options.
"They can become a strong pair in a short period and as changes are also being made by our rivals, we need to be prepared for the 2016 Games.
"The doubles squad should also train as a unit as the back-up pairs can learn from the seniors. We have three world junior champions in our stable and they can progress faster by training together."
Tan Wee Kiong-Hoon Thien How, Mak Hee Chun-Teo Kok Siang, Vountus Indra Mawan-Lutfi Zaim Khalid are the other senior pairs while the junior combinations are Ow Yao Han-Chooi Kah Ming, Nelson Heg-Teo Ee Yi and Yew Hong Kheng-Low Juan Shen.
Selvaraj also said that Rashid Sidek and Hendrawan should focus on grooming the back-up players while Tey Seu Bock should continue guiding Lee Chong Wei, Liew Daren and Chong Wei Feng.
"Rashid is more valuable in guiding players with potential and should be looking at the younger group with Hendrawan. The duo should be able to help the back-up players progress faster," said Selvaraj.
"Seu Bock has been in charge of the seniors for some time so he should be able to handle them well."
Misbun Ramdan Misbun, Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin, Goh Soon Huat and Loh Wei Sheng are the top four back-up players and Selvaraj feels they should be given more attention with Chong Wei expected to call it a day in 2014.
Courtesy of New Straits Times