Fate of Kien Keat - Boon Heong to be known on Sept 7

The fate of under fire men's doubles pair Koo Kien Keat/Tan Boon Heong who failed to get past the quarterfinals of the 2013 World Badminton Championships in Guangzhou, China, is expected to be known on Sept 7.

Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) deputy president Datuk Mohamad Norza Zakaria said any decision involving the pair can only be made at a BAM council meeting.

"We need to study the report from their coach before making any decision," Norza told reporters at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport, here, Monday.

He added that the meeting was also expected to decide on the appointment of BAM honorary secretary, currently held by Ng Chin Chai.

In the World Badminton Championships that drew down its curtain last night at the Tianhe Gymnasium, Kien Keat-Boon Heong failed to achieve the target set by BAM (to reach the final) as they were bundled out in the quarterfinals.

Norza added that the country's and BAM's hopes of a world title certainly rests on the shoulders of Datuk Lee Chong Wei who however, limped out in the final against four-times world champion Lin Dan of China, to give his opponent his fifth world title.

"It is a bitter pill to swallow (Chong Wei's loss) but Chong Wei remains steadfast to continue his fight till the 2016 Olympics," he said.

Asked if there was an element of sabotage during the final (air-conditioning malfunctioned), Norza said BAM would need to study the facts of the incident from the team manager and coach who were in Guangzhou, China, before sending a letter to the organiser.

Meanwhile, Chong Wei who arrived at KLIA at about 6.30pm and welcomed by his wife Datin Wong Mew Choo, said he would continue to play until the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, as his dream was to win the Olympic gold.

Chong Wei who had won the first game 21-16, lost the second 13-21 but had to concede the deciding third game after coming down with cramps when the score was 16-19 in favour of Lin Dan.

Chong Wei managed to continue for two more points - one in his favour and another for Lin Dan - before deciding to give up when the score was 17-20.