Well worth it: Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah won RM158,500 for their victory in the Arctic Open.
PETALING JAYA: The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) have kept their word to send the strongest possible line-up to the SEA Games in Thailand from Dec 7-10, naming several of the country’s top shuttlers, including reigning world champions.
BAM had earlier announced that the list of players for the biennial Games would be revealed this weekend in conjunction with their council meeting, but sprung a surprise by releasing it earlier.
There were no surprises in the individual events, with the men’s singles challenge to be led by Leong Jun Hao and Justin Hoh, who will be making his debut at the Games. Two years ago, Justin’s hopes of competing in Phnom Penh were dashed after he suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon in his left leg.
In the men’s doubles, Malaysia will count on world champions Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, who won gold at the 2019 edition in the Philippines, alongside Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun.
The women’s doubles line-up mirror that strength, with world championship runners-up Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah leading the charge together with Teoh Mei Xing-Go Pei Kee.
As expected, mixed doubles world champions Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei have also been included.
Cheng Su Yin, who had been sidelined by injury, is also in the team alongside her partner Hoo Pang Ron.
With limited options in the women’s singles, BAM have placed their trust in Wong Ling Ching and K. Letshanaa to deliver a strong showing.
For the men’s team event, BAM have taken an open approach by including professional shuttler Aidil Sholeh Ali Sadikin and rising youngster Eogene Ewe, bringing the total to four men’s singles players.
In the women’s team, Siti Zulaikha Azmi and Eng Ler Qi complete the 10-member squad, who will be out to erase the disappointment in Cambodia 2023.
