Pathum thani: National doubles coaching director Rexy Mainaky is ready to take responsibility following his players' failure to meet the four-gold target at the SEA Games Thailand 2025 in Pathum Thani today. Rexy said this responsibility could include stepping down from his position should there be pressure from any party for him to do so after failing to help deliver the four gold medals targeted by the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) at the biennial Games.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Rexy expressed his readiness to step down, acknowledging that the public will inevitably question the failure to achieve the set target. He explained that, based on the players' capability levels and performance, it was realistic to expect them to meet the target, but unfortunately, the outcome was different. Rexy highlighted the prestige of the SEA Games, held every two years, and his preparedness to shoulder the responsibility.

The national team's top women's doubles pair, Pearly Tan and M. Thinaah, emerged as the sole Malaysian badminton representatives to clinch a gold medal at the Games. They secured victory over Indonesia's Febriana Dwipuji Kusuma and Meilysa Trias Puspitasari with scores of 21-16, 19-21, 21-17, ending Malaysia's decade-long wait for a women's doubles gold medal at the SEA Games. The last victory in this category was achieved by Amelia Alicia Anscelly and Soong Fie Cho in the 2015 edition in Singapore.

Meanwhile, Aaron Chia, the national men's doubles number one, who won silver with partner Soh Wooi Yik, voiced his disagreement with Rexy taking responsibility by stepping down. He acknowledged the substantial responsibility Rexy carries in overseeing the men's doubles, women's doubles, and mixed doubles sectors. Chia emphasized the need for all parties to collaborate and find solutions rather than pointing fingers.

The national badminton team concluded their 2025 Thailand SEA Games campaign with a total of one gold, two silver, and six bronze medals.