PETALING JAYA: Mixed doubles shuttler Toh Ee Wei (pic) could be Malaysia’s secret weapon in the Sudirman Cup from April 27-May 5 in Xiamen, China.
Ee Wei’s partnership with Chen Tang Jie might have ended but both were selected for the mixed team meet and could still play an important role with different partners.
Mixed doubles coach Nova Widianto had said that the 24-year-old and Tang Jie will not be reunited in the tourney but have been picked due to their versatility.
Ee Wei could be combined with her former partners Hoo Pang Ron in mixed doubles or even Pearly Tan in the women’s doubles.
Pang Ron and Ee Wei reached a career high No. 20 during their brief partnership together in 2022 before the latter was paired with Tang Jie.
Ee Wei also played with Pearly during their junior days and captured silver together in the World Junior Championships in 2018.
The former and Tang Jie also did well to help Malaysia win bronze in the last Sudirman Cup in 2023 and the duo’s experience could come in handy.
Malaysia’s other options in the mixed doubles are Pang Ron, his usual partner Cheng Su Yin and world No. 3 independent pair Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie.
Nova could spring a surprise and name Tang Jie and Su Yin together as well.
In the women’s doubles, Pearly, her usual partner M. Thinaah, Go Pei Kee and Carmen Ting have been included.
The other players included in the team are Leong Jun Hao, Justin Hoh (men’s singles), Goh Jin Wei, K. Letshanaa (women’s singles), Goh Sze Fei, Nur Izzuddin Rumsani, Aaron Chia, Soh Wooi Yik, Man Wei Chong and Tee Kai Wun (men’s doubles).
Malaysia need to navigate a tricky Group C which also includes Japan, France and Australia.
Only the top two teams will progress to the quarter-finals.
