3 reasons why Tang Jie-Ee Wei reuniting is good news for Malaysia

Grooming shuttlers like Chen-Toh who have been part of the national team set-up since their junior days requires massive financial investment.

The cost includes all aspects of their career and day-to-day expenses from training, competition, coaching, support services such as psychologist/physiologist and travel/meal allowances spanning over years.

To get this pair to a world top five status and establish them as a genuine medal contender ahead of the Olympic Games in 2028 also took the efforts of a multitude of stakeholders.

To have all that hard work undone over a misunderstanding would have spelt catastrophe.

So it is a major relief to know that Chen-Toh have come to their senses.

Malaysia are aiming to eclipse their 2023 Sudirman Cup bronze medal achievement at the upcoming edition in Ningbo, China (April 27-May 4).

In order to achieve that success, they will need to have their best squad to compete which includes Chen-Toh.

Thankfully, the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) had registered both shuttlers in the squad, initially to provide back-ups to their other pairings.

But now, with both players back in training and set to play together again, the national contingent has two good mixed doubles options with Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai the other pair.

Youth & Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh had urged Chen-Toh to rethink their split, saying : “We cannot have athletes in the RTG this year suddenly saying they do not wish to compete together anymore.

“It should not be like this, as the government has invested money in them, which is why we need our athletes to be disciplined,” Yeoh said.

It isn’t clear if the Minister’s statement had made Chen-Toh to U-turn, but the world number four being part of the RTG has massive benefits for their medal push at the LA2028.