logo
Pearly Tan and Thinaah likely to stay with BAM, says Kenny Goh

Pearly Tan and Thinaah likely to stay with BAM, says Kenny Goh

The Sun10 hours ago
THE future of national women's doubles pair Pearly Tan and M. Thinaah with the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) appears promising, as discussions over their contract renewal have progressed positively.
BAM secretary-general Datuk Kenny Goh expressed optimism about retaining the world number three duo, stating, 'The discussions were very positive, and we want the best for them.'
The pair's status with BAM is expected to be finalised before the Japan Open on July 15, as confirmed by BAM president Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz last week.
Their previous contract expired in December last year, but despite the uncertainty, Pearly and Thinaah have maintained strong performances, including their Thailand Open victory in May.
Kenny Goh also commented on his recent appointment as deputy chef de mission (CDM) for the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand. He acknowledged the honour while recognising the prestige of his fellow appointees, including national swimming legend Nurul Huda Abdullah, who will serve as CDM.
'This is an honour for me, but at the same time, a humbling experience,' he said. - Bernama
The 2025 SEA Games will take place from December 9 to 20 in Bangkok, Chonburi, and Songkhla.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Sze Fei–Izzuddin lead Tokyo charge
Sze Fei–Izzuddin lead Tokyo charge

New Straits Times

time6 hours ago

  • New Straits Times

Sze Fei–Izzuddin lead Tokyo charge

KUALA LUMPUR: Goh Sze Fei–Nur Izzuddin Rumsani will return to the Japan Open next week not only as top seeds, but as defending champions tasked with preserving their world No. 1 status in a razor-tight race. The pair's triumph in Tokyo last year was a career-defining breakthrough — their first Super 750 title — and ended Malaysia's 22-year wait in the event since Chan Chong Ming–Chew Choon Eng won in 2002. That victory lit the spark that eventually propelled Sze Fei–Izzuddin to the top of the world rankings recently. Now holding a slim lead over compatriots Aaron Chia–Soh Wooi Yik and South Korea's Kim Won Ho–Seo Seung Jae, their title defence is far from straightforward — especially with the release of the draw on Tuesday. Sze Fei–Izzuddin will open their campaign against Canadians Kevin Lee–Ty Lindeman, before a potential last-16 meeting with Japan's Hiroki Midorikawa–Kyohei Yamashita. Should they advance, a clash with Indonesia's seventh seeds Sabar Karyaman Gutama–Moh Reza Pahlevi Isfahani looms in the quarter-finals, and a possible semi-final against fourth seeds Kim Astrup–Anders Skaarup Rasmussen of Denmark. Aaron–Wooi Yik, currently the most in-form pair on tour with three titles from their last five tournaments — Asia Championships, Thailand Open and Singapore Open — are seeded second and face a fiery start against fellow Malaysians Ong Yew Sin–Teo Ee Yi in the opening round. Their projected path includes Japan's Kenya Mitsuhashi–Hiroki Okamura in the second round, China's fifth seeds Liang Wei Keng–Wang Chang in the quarters, and Won Ho–Seung Jae, fresh off their Indonesia Open triumph last month, in the last four. Two other Malaysian pairs will meet in the first round, with Man Wei Chong–Tee Kai Wun drawn against younger compatriots Wan Arif Junaidi–Yap Roy King, while veterans Nur Azriyn Ayub–Tan Wee Kiong face French brothers Christo and Toma Junior Popov. In women's doubles, world No. 3 Pearly Tan–M. Thinaah will be aiming for a strong restart after officially committing to a new three-year contract with the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) until 2028 — putting to bed speculation of a professional switch after months of delay since their previous contract expired at the end of last year. They begin their campaign against Bulgaria's Stoeva sisters, Stefanie and Gabriela, followed by a potential last-16 tie with Indonesia's Febriana Dwipuji Kusuma–Amallia Cahaya Pratiwi, quarter-finals with South Korea's Kim Hye Jeong–Kong Hee Yong, and a possible blockbuster semi-final against home favourites and nemeses Nami Matsuyama–Chiharu Shida. Two other combinations Go Pei Kee–Teoh Mei Xing and Ong Xin Yee–Carmen Ting face tough openers against South Korea's fourth seeds Baek Ha Na–Lee So Hee and sixth seeds Rin Iwanaga–Kie Nakanishi of Japan, respectively. Malaysia's mixed doubles will also see four pairs in action, led by fourth seeds Chen Tang Jie–Toh Ee Wei, who will take on Kevin Lee–Josephine Wu of Canada. Their route includes a tricky second round against China's Guo Xin Wa–Chen Fang Hui, quarter-finals against Thom Gicquel–Delphine Delrue of France, and a potential semi-final against China's second seeds Jiang Zhen Bang–Wei Ya Xin. Veteran duo Goh Soon Huat–Shevon Lai Jemie open against Thailand's Ruttanapak Oupthong–Jhenicha Sudjaipraparat, while Hoo Pang Ron–Cheng Su Yin and Wong Tien Ci–Lim Chiew Sien face Presley Smith-Jennie Gai and Yuichi Shimogami-Sayaka Hobara from the US and Japan respectively. In men's singles, Leong Jun Hao will be Malaysia's sole representative after Lee Zii Jia pulled out due to injury. The 25-year-old faces a tough first round assignment against eighth seed and defending champion Alex Lanier of France.

Aaron-Wooi Yik up against Yew Sin-Ee Yi in Japan Open first round
Aaron-Wooi Yik up against Yew Sin-Ee Yi in Japan Open first round

The Star

time6 hours ago

  • The Star

Aaron-Wooi Yik up against Yew Sin-Ee Yi in Japan Open first round

PETALING JAYA: The Japan Open draw was released yesterday, and it is not kind to our men's doubles shuttlers, to say the least. Men's doubles shuttlers Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik and Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi have been pitted against each other in the first round while Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun are drawn against world No. 23 Yap Roy King-Wan Arif Wan Junaidi. In the draw released yesterday, only one of the Malaysian pairs can progress to the second round of the World Super 750 tourney which will start next Tuesday in Tokyo. World No. 2 Aaron-Wooi Yik will start as the favourites based on their fine form and head-to-head record over independent duo Yew Sin-Ee Yi, who are currently ranked No. 30 in the world. The former have beaten the latter six times in their past eight meetings. The other Malaysians in the men's doubles competing in the tourney are world No. 1 Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani and world No. 26 Tan Wee Kiong-Nur Mohd Azriyn Ayub. Sze Fei-Izzuddin, who are also the defending champions, should have no problems getting past Canada's world No. 66 Kevin Lee-Ty Alexander in the first round while Wee Kiong-Azriyn have a trickier opening task against world No. 18 French brothers Toma Junior Popov-Christo Popov.

Pearly-Thinaah to stay with BAM until 2028 Olympics [WATCH]
Pearly-Thinaah to stay with BAM until 2028 Olympics [WATCH]

New Straits Times

time8 hours ago

  • New Straits Times

Pearly-Thinaah to stay with BAM until 2028 Olympics [WATCH]

KUALA LUMPUR: At last, the wait is over. Women's doubles Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah have ended speculation over their future by committing to the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) until at least the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The world No.3 are expected to sign a new contract before flying to Tokyo for the Japan Open on July 15-20. Their decision brings much-needed relief to fans and officials alike, ending months of uncertainty after their previous deal expired in December. All negotiations with BAM have now been wrapped up, with the new agreement ensuring Pearly-Thinaah remain the nation's key contenders in the hunt for a historic first Olympic gold. BAM president Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz had earlier vowed to resolve the matter before the pair's trip to Japan, and he has stayed true to his word. Following the Japan Open, the pair will head to the China Open (July 22-27), before preparing for the World Championships in Paris on Aug 25-31. Their recent run of form has been nothing short of outstanding: champions at the Thailand Open, runners-up at the Indonesia Open, semi-finalists at the Malaysia Masters, and quarter-finalists in Singapore. Keywords: Badminton Contract World Championships Bam China Open Japan Open Pearly Tan-m. Thinaah

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store