Kuala Lumpur: The doubles coaching director of the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) – Rexy Mainaky said that he would not rule out the possibility of inviting World No. 11 men’s pair Ong Yew Sin/Teo Ee Yi to join the Malaysia men’s team to compete at the 2022 Thomas Cup Finals that will be held in Bangkok, from May 8, 2022, to May 15, 2022.
“We did talk about this, and it is in my plan to add Ee Yi/Yew Sin to the Thomas Cup team,” said Mainaky.
“There will be SEA Games around that time as well, we are planning to send Man Wei Chong/Tee Kai Woon for the Vietnam SEA Games,” added Mainaky.
The 2022 SEA Games, will be held in Hanoi, Vietnam, from May 12, 2022, to May 23, 2022.
“It’s also a good opportunity for Kai Woon/Wei Chong to prove their worth at the SEA Games as they will be competing in the team and individual events,” explained Mainaky.
Both Ong/Teo produced brilliant performances last season by winning bronze medals at the BWF 2021 World Championships, 2021 World Tour Finals, and the 2021 Indonesian Masters.
Mainaky also explained why the World No. 7 men’s pair Aaron Chia/Soh Wooi Yik was struggling at the 2022 Badminton Asia Team Championships which concluded in Shah Alam, Malaysia last Sunday.
“Aaron and Wooi Yik went into the tournament with a burden that they could not lose and eventually failed to perform at their best.”
“But I am proud that they were able to overcome the pressure, and went from struggling to solving problems in the tie against Korea and Indonesia.”
Mainaky said they will analyze the play of Aaron Chia/Soh Wooi Yik to try to find a solution.
Chia/Soh lost to World No. 857 Endo Ayato/Takei Yuta of Japan in the last Group B tie of the 2022 Badminton Asia Team Championships (BATC). They managed to eke out tough three-setter wins against Kim Hwi Tae/Kim Jaehwan 21-14, 20-22, 21-19 in the BATC semi-final tie between Malaysia and Korea and then a 17-21, 21-13, 21-18 victory against Carnando Leo Rolly/Marthin Daniel of Indonesia in the BATC final.
