#V Shem-Wee Kiong and Yew Sin-Ee Yi partnership renewed
Former world number one and Olympic silver medallist Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong and Kuala Lumpur Sea Games silver medalists Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi have been “reconciled” after a brief “divorce” as Malaysia focus on next year’s Thomas Cup Finals in Bangkok.
Following the split between V Shem and Wee Kiong after a fallout between the two V Shem was paired with Ee Yi while Wee Kiong was paired with Yew Sin.
And the Badminton World Federation (BWF) has played a big role in bringing back the two partnerships following new tournament regulations effective next year.
Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) honorary-secretary Datuk Ng Chin Chai in a statement said the old pairings are higher ranked and they can help position Malaysia higher for qualification and also seeding purposes for the Thomas Cup Finals.
With the new regulations there are no qualifying rounds for Level 2 and 3 tournaments while in Level 4 and 5 tournaments there are only 28 places in the main draw plus eight in the qualifying tournament.
As of Nov 30 Wee Kiong-Yew Sin and V Shem-Ee Yi were ranked 76 and 92 respectively while V Shem-Wee Kiong and Yew Sin-Ee Yi were at 18 and 24.
“Therefore, there is a risk that the new pairing of Wee Kiong-Yew Sin and V-Shem-Ee Yi may not qualify to play in Level 2 and 3 tournaments and most of Level 4 tournaments.
“Hence, BAM together with coaches and players have come to a decision to continue the pairings of V Shem-Wee Kiong and Yew Sin-Ee Yi for some tournaments,” said Chin Chai.
National doubles head coach Cheah Soon Kit said the players are aware of the new BWF ruling and they are receptive at the decision made to bring them back together as the country comes first.
V Shem-Wee Kiong were a much dreaded pair in 2016 when they bagged the Denmark Open, the Rio Olympics silver medal and the season ending BWF Superseries Grand Finals in Dubai.
Yew Sin-Ee Yi won the silver medal in men’s doubles at the Kuala Lumpur Sea Games this year in August. – BY RIZAL ABDULLAH
