PETALING JAYA: Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik and Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun may already be assured of their places in the squad for the Thomas Cup Finals but both pairs still have plenty to play for at the Asian Championships starting on Tuesday in Ningbo, China.
While the meet will serve as the final evaluation for those still fighting for spots in the team, Aaron-Wooi Yik and Wei Chong-Kai Wun will also be keen to maintain their standards.
Aaron-Wooi Yik head into the tournament as the defending champions, while Wei Chong-Kai Wun will be aiming to improve on their second round exit last year.
National doubles coaching director Rexy Mainaky has called on both pairs to deliver strong performances as they look to build momentum ahead of the Finals in Horsens from April 24 to May 3.
“If a player is already 90 per cent in the list, then in the next tournament they must be more focused. For those who still have a chance to make the team, they must prove it,” said Rexy.
The battle for the third doubles spot is currently between independent pair Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani and world No. 16 duo Wan Arif Wan Junaidi-Yap Roy King, who are hoping to earn their Thomas Cup debut.
Second seeds Aaron-Wooi Yik will face Taiwan’s Chiu Hsiang-chieh-Wang Chi-lin in the opening round, while Wei Chong-Kai Wun will take on qualifiers.
Arif-Roy King will meet another Taiwanese pair, Lee Fang-chih-Lee Fang-jen, as they look to avenge their defeat at the German Open in February.
Sze Fei-Izzuddin will open against Thailand’s Chaloempon Charoenkitamorn-Worrapol Thongsa-nga.
Meanwhile, Rexy said the centralised training camp in Herning, Denmark, will be shortened to about eight days instead of the initial 10.
The team have begun centralised training at the Academy Badminton Malaysia in Bukit Kiara.
“Out of the 20 players invited for the Thomas and Uber Cup centralised training (on Wednesday), only 18 were present, without Lee Zii Jia and Goh Jin Wei, but it still serves as good preparation for us.
“We will fine tune our preparations in a quieter environment in Herning before heading to Horsens. We will also have daily discussions and activities to strengthen the team.
“Initially, we planned for 10 days, but it has been shortened to about seven or eight days,” added Rexy.
