Malaysia men’s doubles shuttlers Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik. — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star
PETALING JAYA: It is rare for the world No. 2 men's doubles pair Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik to give up the chance to represent the country at the SEA Games in Thailand.
But they are prepared to pass the baton to Malaysia's next generation of players, confident in the men's doubles depth to deliver the gold at the biennial Games from Dec 9-20.
They can then focus on the World Tour Finals from Dec 17-21, which clashes with the SEA Games.
The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) are aiming to send their strongest squad to win the gold and Aaron believes they have several capable combinations who can deliver, even without him and Wooi Yik in the line-up.
Apart from Aaron-Wooi Yik, Malaysia also have other strong pairs, including world No. 22 Wan Arif Wan Junaidi-Yap Roy King and world No. 43 Choong Hon Jian-Mohd Haikal Nazri.
World No. 7, Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun may also have to be on standby for the World Tour Finals in Hangzhou in December as both pairs are currently in the best position to qualify.
"I’ll be ready, but I’m handing that mission to players like Arif-Roy King or Haikal-Hon Jian, as I have already played in the SEA Games.
"This will be a good opportunity and stepping stone for them," said Aaron, who won gold at the 2019 SEA Games in the Philippines.
Last December, BAM had announced their intention to send a strong team to the Thailand Games following a disappointing outing at the 2023 edition in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
On that occasion, BAM fielded a line-up of younger players.
Not only did they return without a gold medal, missing their target of one gold, but the women’s team also suffered a shock 0-3 defeat to the Philippines in the quarter-finals.
Roy King and Hon Jian were both in action in Phnom Penh, but in the mixed doubles.
Hon Jian partnered Yap Ling and reached the quarter-finals, while Roy King teamed up with Go Pei Kee Su Yin to make the final before settling for silver.
Malaysia’s overall haul from the Games was two silvers and four bronzes.
