PETALING JAYA: With Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik back together, badminton legend Datuk Seri Jalani Sidek hopes the national coaches will also reconsider the future of several men’s doubles pairs who have been split up.
Jalani believes some of the new combinations have yet to produce convincing results, while several players showed greater promise after reuniting with their former partners at the World Championships.
One example is Wan Arif Wan Junaidi-Yap Roy King, who were split up with Arif paired with Kang Khai Xing while Roy King teamed up with Tee Kai Wun.
Arif-Khai Xing struggled for results, suffering first round exits at the China Open, Taiwan Open and Korean Masters.
Roy King-Kai Wun fared better by capturing the Korean Masters title.
But Arif-Roy King showed they still have plenty to offer after reuniting for the World Championships.
They stunned Indonesia’s Raymond Indra-Nikolaus Joaquin in the second round before pushing India’s Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty to three games in the third round.
Jalani hopes the coaches will give more thought to the development of these younger pairs as they are expected to form the next generation of Malaysia’s men’s doubles squad.
“For me, this is not the time to keep experimenting. You can see that Arif-Roy King are a good pair, and the same goes for Aaron Tai and Khai Xing,” said Jalani.
“Aaron-Khai Xing. They are former world junior champions and I see a bright future for them together.
“If you keep experimenting like this, it could affect these younger pairs because what happens to them after the Olympics? What direction will they take then?
“It is understandable if a player’s partner is injured and you give him someone else temporarily so that he can gain experience and maintain his competitive rhythm, but these players already have good partners.
“Instead of constantly pairing them with senior players, you have to understand that chemistry is very important in doubles.
“If you keep changing partners, it takes time for a new combination to develop into a good pair.”
At the China Masters in Shenzhen this week, Arif will return to Khai Xing while Roy King will also reunite with Kai Wun.
There will, however, be another reshuffle involving Aaron Chia, who will partner Man Wei Chong, while Aaron Tai will team up with Soh Wooi Yik.
More changes are planned for the Arctic Open next month, with Arif set to partner Wei Chong while Roy King will combine with Aaron Tai.
