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JUNIOR doubles shuttler Darren Isaac Deva Dass’ wish for the new year is to play in the Malaysian Open Superseries from Jan 15-20.With the announcement and arrival of new coach Pang Cheh Chang, Darren and partner Ong Yew Sin are hoping for a fresh beginning as well, and the Malaysia Open would be a fantastic start as their names have already been submitted for the tournament.Pang, who had a stint with the junior squad between 2002 and 2005, replaces former international Yap Kim Hock, whose contract was not renewed by the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM).“I played in the Malaysian Open in 2010 but that was with another partner (Lim Chi Wing).“He is now with the singles team,” Darren said, adding that he was looking forward to training under Pang, who was previously attached to the men’s elite team, focusing on top doubles Koo Kien Keat and Tan Boon Heong and Hoon Thien How and Tan Wee Kiong.“I’ve heard about a lot about him (Pang), and to know that he has trained Koo and Tan is great.“I am not sure if we (Darren and Yew Sin) will play in the Malaysian Open.

They will have to look at the world rankings, but if some shuttlers are unable to make it for the tournament, then we may just have a chance to play,” Darren said.Darren and Yew Sin, both 18, are our top junior doubles shuttlers, ranked 15 on the Badminton World Federation (BWF) Junior rankings, and have yet to break into the top 100 of the senior rankings.

The pair’s best achievement last year would be reaching the semifinal stage of the Maybank Malaysia International Youth U-19 Badminton Championships, where they were knocked out by Indonesian pair Hafiz Faizal and Putra Eka Rhoma.Apart from the Malaysian Open Superseries, the 100PLUS National Junior Circuit for which Darren and Yew Sin are eligible, will be held from Feb 27 to March 3.