PETALING JAYA: The Badminton Association of Malaysia is running short on time to test future pairings for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Performance committee chairman Datuk Seri Lee Chong Wei welcomed the decision to split top duo Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik.
Chong Wei said it was a wise decision to split the world No. 3 pair for several upcoming tournaments to decide on new combinations.
The matter has been discussed with the coaches and the association needs to be brave in making changes.
Chong Wei said this after the council meeting and annual general meeting of the association on Saturday (June 6).
The association does not want to wait until the last minute because next year is an important year for Olympic qualification.
Countries usually wait until January to test new pairs, but Chong Wei felt it was better to do it before the Asian Games.
Aaron and Wooi Yik will have new partners for the Japan Open next month.
Aaron will partner Tee Kai Wun, while Wooi Yik will team up with Man Wei Chong.
Aaron has partnered Kai Wun several times before, most recently at the Thomas Cup Finals in Horsens last month.
Chong Wei said the scratch pairs will be tested at the Japan Open, Korea Masters, Denmark Open and French Open.
However, the pairs will be reunited for the World Championships in New Delhi from Aug 17-23.
For the World Championships, they have to play as the original pairs because of their rankings.
The association cannot submit scratch pairs for the tournament.
Chong Wei added that if the scratch pairs show positive results, they could be maintained until the Olympics in Los Angeles.
