(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-03-26 13:18

KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysia's National Sports Council will support any decision to drop former All England champion Koo Kien Keat from the Olympics if the player fails to change his partying lifestyle, local media reported on Wednesday.

Malaysia's Tan Boon Heong (L) and Koo Kien Keat hold up the trophy after beating China's Cai Yun and Fu Haifeng in the men's double final match at the All England badminton championships in Birmingham, England March 11, 2007. [Agencies]

Coach Rexy Manaiky said this month he would axe doubles specialist Koo because of his off-court antics.

"I had a chat with the player and I told him that I don't want any problems, not just from him but from any player in the squad," Sports Council director general Zolkples Embong told the New Straits Times.

"In the midst of preparing for the Olympics we can't be spending time solving problems. I will stick by Rexy if the players fail to buck up.

Koo became a national hero last year when he partnered Tan Boon Heong to the All England men's doubles title.

However, the pair have performed poorly this year, falling in the first round of the All England and the second round of the Malaysian and Swiss Opens.

Rexy said Koo's attitude had improved recently.

"He has been showing up early for training and works harder now," said Rexy. "At this point in time he is showing commitment and discipline. I just hope he keeps going on like this.

"He has also started talking to me, which is a good sign."