THE playing future of men's doubles Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong is safe at least until the World Championships but appropriate action will be taken against them if they fail to achieve the target of reaching the final set by the BA of Malaysia (BAM).

BAM secretary Ng Chin Chai, who is also the coaching and training committee (CTC) chairman, said Kien Keat-Boon Heong will still play in the World Championships in Guangzhou in August but also confirmed that emphasis will be given to backup-pairs Goh V Shem-Lim Khim Wah and Tan Wee Kiong-Hoon Thien How in the build-up to the major event.

Kien Keat-Boon Heong's performance has hit rock bottom and their latest failure came when they lost to scratch pair Lee Sheng Mu-Tsai Chia Hsin which saw Malaysia suffer a shock 3-2 defeat to Taiwan on Sunday.

THE Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) are aware of the disciplinary problems in the national team – and have already taken actions to tighten up their act.

The BAM had, in fact, decided at their last Coaching and Training (CNT) committee meeting to prevent players from visiting gaming houses or casinos during training or competitions.

The panel will also closely monitor the players’ attendance in training and, most importantly, nip any disciplinary problems in the bud. In other words, no more sweeping things under the carpet.

On Monday, former international Razif Sidek had blamed top men’s doubles pair Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong’s significant drop in form over the years to the national body not being strict enough in enforcing action against disciplinary problems.