Third ranked pair Khim Wah and V Shem’s situation remains unclear

PETALING JAYA: Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong may have retained their status as a pair, but the situation regarding Lim Khim Wah-Goh V Shem is still a little unclear.

Khim Wah-V Shem are the third ranked pair in Malaysia at No. 15 in the world and are only behind Kien Keat-Boon Heong (No. 4) and Hoon Thien How-Tan Wee Kiong (No. 12).

But since their second round knockout at the World Championships last month to Thien How-Wee Kiong, things seemed to have fallen apart for Khim Wah-V Shem.

They were overlooked for the recent Japan Open and have also been left out of the squad for the Denmark and French Opens next month, bringing about speculation regarding their future as a pair.

Coach Paulus Firman, however, has pledged to make things clear to the players once all of them return from their overseas assignments.

“Everything is a blur lately. First, I was working with Chang Kim Wai in the doubles squad and suddenly I’m now with Pang Cheh Chang,” said Paulus.

“Cheh Chang will need some time to familiarise himself with the doubles players before we can announce our plans.

“For now, the confirmed pairs Kien Keat-Boon Heong and Thien How-Wee Kiong will prepare for the Denmark and French Opens.

“I will reveal more when the time is right. Ultimately though, the goal is the Asian and Commonwealth Games, World Championships and Thomas Cup next year,” added Paulus.

Meanwhile, Ow Yao Han-Teo Kok Siang and Chooi Kah Ming-Teo Ee Yi failed to impress in the Indonesian Open GP Gold in Yogyakarta. They were shown the exit in the first round by Indonesian opponents.

Yao Han-Kok Siang were beaten by Fran Kurniawan-Bona Septano while Kah Ming-Ee Yi went down to Ronald Alexander-Selvanus Geh.

It was also a poor outing for women’s singles shuttler Tee Jing Yi and independent women’s doubles pair Ng Hui Lin-Ng Hui Ern. All of them crashed out in the first round.

The scratch women’s combination of Lee Meng Yean-Lim Yin Loo, however, earned a lucky break after top seeds Pia Zebadiah Bernadeth-Rizki Amelia Pradipta of Indonesia retired whilst trailing 11-20 in the first game.

Fleet-sponsored Mohd Arif Abdul Latif, who left the BAM set-up last month, also scraped through after beating local shuttler Andrew Susanto 19-21, 21-14, 21-10.

The fourth seeded Arif will meet another local – Christie Jonatan – for a place in the third round.