Zakry-Fairuzizuan go independent

Men’s doubles pair Mohd Zakry Abdul Latif/Mohd Fairuzizuan Mohd Tazari have announced their wish to quit the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) and the council meeting decided to let them go.

Photo : Badmintonphoto

“Mohd Zakry and Mohd Fairuzizuan submitted their application to quit BAM on Aug 17, and today the BAM council decided to accept their request without any conditions or penalty,” said BAM President Datuk Seri Nadzmi Salleh to the Bernama News Agency on August 20th after the AGM Meeting conducted by BAM.

This means the duo will be able to compete independently, and could try to qualify for the Olympics, as this is allowed by BAM as a specific rule for this major event only.

Mohd Zakry, 29 and Mohd Fairuzizuan, 28, were playing together and had reached up to the world’s 4th spot in 2009, before doubles coach Rexy Mainaky decided to split them and paired the duo with Hoon Thien How and Ong Soon Hock respectively. Zakry and Hoon had taken the 2nd qualifying spot at the 2011 World Championships, earned on merit by Tan and Gan – which had become a national affair – but failed to deliver as they were ousted in the second round.