Fans have questioned the decision of the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) to send their top national shuttlers for the upcoming SEA Games in Thailand this December.
The national body on Wednesday announced their strongest line-up including Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, Pearly Tan-M.Thinaah, Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei and Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun.
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The decision was certainly a baffling one, especially with the regional multi-sport Games commonly used to give the young and up-and-coming shuttlers a chance to make an impact.
Commenting on BAM’s social media pages, fans questioned why the likes of Yap Roy King-Junaidi Arif and Choong Hon Jian-Haikal Nazri were not selected, as it would have been an ideal platform for them to return with a medal.
MALAYSIA ANNOUNCES BADMINTON SQUAD FOR 33RD SEA GAMES ??
— BAM (@BA_Malaysia) October 15, 2025
The team comprises a blend of experienced shuttlers and rising talents who will represent Malaysia in both the individual and team events.#GemilangkanLagi#BadmintonMalaysia#DemiMalaysia pic.twitter.com/WoaDes0D6j
While some may point to the fact that Thailand are sending a strong team that includes Kunlavut Vitidsarn, Ratchanok Intanon and also Dechapol Puavaranukroh, the Thailand Badminton Association may be obliged to do so as host.
For the likes of Chia, Soh and even Chen, playing in the SEA Games will be like going back in time.
Chia-Soh won gold at the 2019 edition, while Chen clinched gold at the 2021 with his former partner Peck Yen Wei.
The BAM may have felt it needed to regain the country’s glory in the SEA Games, having delivered two silvers and four bronze medals with a team shorn of these stars in the 2023 edition.
But the timing of the SEA Games has also posed a concern to many fans.
The SEA Games badminton event is scheduled to take place from Dec 6-14, which is three days before the season-finale World Tour Finals (WTF).
So should the country’s top pairs like Chia-Soh, Tan-Thinaah and Chen-Toh all reach the SEA Games final, they will have only two days break before the WTF takes place in Hangzhou, China (Dec 17-21).
Worst still, if they suffer any knocks or injuries in Thailand, their chances of playing in the prestigious season-finale would be over.
For the elite national shuttlers, it's all about performing and excelling in the biggest stage of all. In this context, the WTF takes precedence over the SEA Games.
Especially so for the mentioned six shuttlers, who have yet to win a gold medal at the WTF.
Having named their best squad, the BAM will be compelled to deliver at least three to four gold medals at the 2025 SEA Games.
Anything short of that would be considered a failure.
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