Men's Doubles Pair Splits Part Of Olympic Qualification Plan -- BAM President

KUALA LUMPUR, June 6 (Bernama) -- The decision to split the country's top men's doubles pairs, Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik and Tee Kai Wun-Man Wei Chong, is part of a long-term strategy to strengthen the national doubles shuttlers ahead of next year's Olympic qualification campaign.

Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) president Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz said the move would not affect the world rankings of Aaron-Wooi Yik, who are currently ranked world No. 2, and Wei Chong-Kai Wun, who are ranked sixth.

"This matter was not discussed in detail today, but Rexy Mainaky (national doubles coaching director) had discussed it with the council members about a month ago.

"I fully support the coaching team's decision to try new scratch pairs. We need to give the coaches the opportunity to test different strategies," he told reporters after chairing the BAM Council meeting at Bukit Kiara here today. 

However, he said Aaron-Wooi Yik and Wei Chong-Kai Wun would remain with their original partners for several major international tournaments using their current world rankings.

"In terms of rankings, they will use the national ranking system. For the World Championships, they will remain with their original partners because they qualified as those pairs.

"However, we need to think long term, especially with Olympic qualification beginning next year. It is better for us to try it now than next year when the Olympic qualification period starts," Tengku Zafrul added.

Speculations had emerged over possible changes to the two partnerships after the entry list for the Japan Open in Tokyo from July 14 to 19 showed Aaron partnering Kai Wun and Wooi Yik teaming up with Wei Chong.

-- BERNAMA