Coaches pair up Tang Jie with Ee Wei for one tournament

In a surprise move, national mixed doubles shuttler Chen Tang Jie has been paired with Toh Ee Wei for the Bangladesh International Challenge in Dhaka from Dec 7-11.

Tang Jie had been set to embark on a new journey with Yap Ling while Ee Wei had shown great promise in her partnership with Hoo Pang Ron so far.

But Tang Jie will now play with Ee Wei in a new experiment in what will be their last tournament this year.

“I’ll be partnering Ee Wei for the tournament in Bangladesh,” saud Tang Jie.

“The coaches just informed us last week that they have paired us together for only one tournament for now.

“It looks like an experiment. I’m still not sure who I’ll be partnering after that,” he added.

The 24-year-old is itching to be back in competitive action after last participating in the Japan Open in September.

He partnered Peck Yen Wei in Osaka but they were separated after failing to produce good results and the latter has since resigned from the national team.

Yen Wei’s departure was swiftly followed by that of veteran Chan Peng Soon and Cheah Yee See, leaving the mixed doubles squad depleted.

For now, Tang Jie is looking forward to playing with Ee Wei in lower-ranked Bangladesh meet despite the temporary nature of their partnership.

“I’m feeling excited to play with Ee Wei. There’s no doubt that she is a very good player. So, I hope I can get a good result with her,” said Tang Jie.

Tang Jie is looking for a positive end to his year after going through a roller coaster ride so far.

Ee Wei will be his third partner of the year after Yen Wei and Valeree Siow while he has yet to compete in any tournaments with Yap Ling.