Pros are still lethal
V shem-Wee Kiong a must for Thomas Cup, says Boon Heong
Rio Olympics silver medallists Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong may not be in the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) but they will be needed if the national team are serious about mounting a strong challenge at the Thomas Cup Finals in Aarhus, Denmark, from Oct 3-11.
Despite being one of the top tworanked pairs in the country, the former world No. 1 were not selected for last year’s Sudirman Cup in Nanning, China, and the Asia Team Championships in Manila earlier in February.
However, former international Tan Boon Heong believes the World No. 14 pair, who quit the national set-up and turned professional early last year, should not be overlooked.
With world No. 9 Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik certain to be picked for Aarhus, V Shem-Wee Kiong will find themselves having to compete for the remaining two berths with Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi (No. 15) and Nur Izzuddin Rumsani-Goh Sze Fei (No. 28).
On paper, V Shem-Wee Kiong and fellow independent mates Yew SinEe Yi seem to have the edge over Izzuddin-Sze Fei.
But the BAM are not averse to making bizarre decisions, so V Shem-Wee Kiong will not be shooins for the Thomas Cup.
For the 2018 Finals in Bangkok, the BAM sprang a surprise when they dropped Yew Sin and named Mohd Arif Latif, who has never played in a major doubles event, in the doubles line-up that comprised V
Shem-Wee Kiong, Aaron-Wooi Yik and Ee Yi.
Boon Heong, who was still playing top-flight badminton as a professional partnering Indonesia’s Hendra Setiawan, was overlooked too at that time although he offered his services.
“For me, it’s simple. If BAM are serious about achieving a certain target, then they need to assemble the strongest available players,” said Boon Heong, a six-time Thomas Cupper.
“In this case, seasoned campaigners like V Shem-Wee Kiong and Yew Sin-Ee Yi should be in. When you go to war, you should have your mightiest weapons.
“But if they are going into the tournament without any expectation, then they may choose to field the youngsters for exposure. It all depends on what they aim for.”
Boon Heong insisted that although V Shem-Wee Kiong are no longer the pair they used to be, they still have plenty to offer and would add depth to the squad.
Boon Heong fought alongside the duo when Malaysia finished runners-up to Japan at the 2014 edition in New Delhi.
“V Shem-Wee Kiong are still very relevant because of their vast experience,” said Boon Heong. “They will want to prove themselves too and make the most of a major outing like the Thomas Cup.
“A team competition can bring the best out of seasoned players like them.”