PUTRAJAYA: Mixed doubles shuttlers Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei may have to rethink their decision to go separate ways following their inclusion in the Road to Gold (RTG) programme for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh said the players must show accountability and commitment, especially given the government’s substantial investment in the pair, who were once ranked as high as world No. 3.
She stressed that decisions cannot be made unilaterally, particularly when national resources have already been channelled into their development as a partnership.
The duo were included in the RTG programme based on their joint achievements. If they choose not to reunite, they risk being excluded from the elite initiative and losing access to its financial and structural support.
Hannah wants the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) to reconsider their move to split the pair, who have already been assigned new partners for upcoming tournaments.
Tang Jie is scheduled to compete in two events, mixed doubles with Chan Wen Tse and men’s doubles with Wong Vin Sean, while Ee Wei is now paired with Loo Bing Kun.
The duo made their Olympic debut in Paris last August and reached the quarter-finals before bowing out to South Korea’s Kim Won-ho and Jeong Na-eun.
“Public funds channelled through top-up services must come with accountability,” said Hannah after chairing the RTG committee meeting in Putrajaya yesterday.
“Athletes who are part of the programme and are signing contracts with us must show full commitment. They cannot simply walk away from their Olympic campaign.
“In doubles, if one player suddenly decides not to continue with a long-time partner, it affects everything. The country has invested heavily in them, and we expect them to show professionalism and discipline.
“This is a matter of accountability, especially when we are answerable to the Parliament.”
Hannah added that the pair were selected for RTG based on their combined ranking and performance, not with new partners.
“That is why we have asked BAM to look into this again. The nation has shown its commitment, and the players have trained together for a long time and produced results.
“The investment did not begin with the RTG programme. It started much earlier,” she added.
Tang Jie-Ee Wei were forced to part ways at the end of March following growing internal conflicts, which became evident after their disappointing performance at the European Tour.
Not only did they suffer an unexpected defeat in the second round of the Orleans Masters, but just a week later, they were eliminated in the first round of the All-England.
Ironically, they were defeated by the same opponents, Rehan Kusharjanto-Gloria Widjaja of Indonesia.
Upon returning from Europe, the BAM were compelled to discuss the future of the pair. As a result, coach Nova Widianto decided to drop them from the Asian Championships in Ningbo, China, last week.
However, they are still set to represent Malaysia at the Sudirman Cup later this month in Xiamen, China. It remains uncertain whether they will compete together as a pair or be split and teamed with other partners.
