BAM running low on mixed doubles shuttlers, says Liu Ying

KUALA LUMPUR – The future of the mixed-doubles category in badminton is in the doldrums as not much attention is given compared to the other categories.

Speaking to the media today, Rio Olympics silver medallist Goh Liu Ying said she wonders who will take over the mixed-doubles spot in the national senior team once the current line-up hangs up their racquets.

“Even though I am no longer in the national team, it is still sad to see and wonder who is next for Malaysia’s mixed doubles.

“Me, Chan Peng Soon, Goh Soon Huat, and Tan Kian Meng are all from the same batch, once we are gone, who is going to step up and take over?

“This is something to be concerned about,” she said today after the launch of the Sports Icon Awards by Harian Metro.

Liu Ying said the focus on mixed doubles seemed to have taken a back seat in recent years.

“Previously, we had two coaches for the mixed-doubles players at BAM, but now there is only one coach. 

“This makes me sad because mixed-doubles players have always been consistent. There have always been at least five or six pairs of representatives at international tournaments, and they always made it to the final stages.”

Liu Ying also noted in the past, there would be at least three Malaysian mixed-doubles pairs in the top 15 of the BWF World Rankings.

However, currently, there are only two pairs – Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing in 11th and Goh Soon Huat-Lai Shevon Jemie in 12th.

In the national setup, only Chan Peng Soon-Cheah Yee See, and Hoo Pang Ron-Toh Ee Wei remain as choices for the mixed-doubles events.

The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) line-up will also be down a player moving forward as Peck Yen Wei announced her departure from the national body yesterday, leaving Chen Tang Jie without a partner.

After leaving BAM in December 2018 together with her partner Chan Peng Soon, Liu Ying is saying goodbye to the court after next year’s Malaysia Open in January. – The Vibes, November 2, 2022.