PETALING JAYA: Independent shuttler Ong Yew Sin has vowed to keep going with Teo Ee Yi despite facing various challenges in keeping their badminton careers alive.
The pair’s performance in the All-England from March 11-16 in Birmingham will give an indication of where they stand as a shift is taking place in the men’s doubles due to changes in partnerships and retirements.
The 30-year-old Yew Sin and Ee Yi, who will turn 32 next month, have been struggling with injury issues and missed out on qualifying for the men’s doubles event in the Paris Olympics last August.
Then, the pair saw their coach Rosman Razak leave them to become the women’s doubles coach in the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) last November.
Their fitness issues have seen Yew Sin-Ee Yi, who were ranked as high as No. 6 in the world in 2023 drop to No. 28 in the latest rankings.
Yew Sin though is not giving up on his career just yet.
“I’m still motivated to win and to do better in my career. If I don’t have the fire anymore, then I will stop playing,” said Yew Sin.
“Ee Yi and I have struggled with some injuries over the past few years. This is normal for players around our age.
“We are also trying our best to prevent injuries but at times, it still happens, so we just need to see how to manage our fitness.
“We have found it hard after coach Rosman left as well but we need to get used to it.
“We are looking for a new coach but these things take time. We don’t want to rush and get someone who could be unsuitable,” added Yew Sin.
For now, Yew Sin-Ee Yi are still training under Teo Kok Siang, who also oversees the mixed pairs such as world No. 2 Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani and world No. 3 mixed doubles duo Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie.
Yew Sin is now hoping to get back to full fitness before the All-England.
“I had a few injuries recently but nothing too serious. I’m not at 100 percent yet but hopefully, I can get nearer to full fitness before the tournament starts,” said Yew Sin.
“We have never gone beyond the second round in this tournament and we hope to get a breakthrough this time.”
Besides Yew Sin-Ee Yi, Malaysia also have Sze Fei-Izzuddin, world No. 5 Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, world No. 11 Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun, Yap Roy King-Wan Arif Wan Junaidi (No. 19) and Tan Wee Kiong-Nur Mohd Azriyn Ayub (No. 26) in the fray.
The draw for the prestigious tourney will be released tomorrow.
