Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia’s World No. 8 men’s doubles player – Teo Ee Yi, is making himself available if his service is needed at the 2023 Badminton Asia Mixed Team Championships (BAMTC) which is scheduled to take place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) from February 14 to February 19.
Teo will likely be teaming up with the World No. 2 Aaron Chia as they have been proven to play well together, especially in team events.
In the 2022 Thomas Cup Finals group stage, Teo/Chia outlasted Akira Koga/Yuta Watanabe of Japan to help Malaysia emerged as the champion of Group D.
Although Malaysia lost to India in the quarter-finals, Teo/Chia managed to push the tie to the fifth match by leveling the score to 2-2, outlasting Krishna Prasad Garaga/Vishnuvardhan Goud Panjala 21-19, 21-17 before Leong Jun Hao lost the third men’s singles match.
“I have no problem teaming up with Aaron, it all depends on the coach. If the coach wants us to pair up, I am ready and will follow the coach’s decision,” said Teo.
Teo along with his regular partner, Ong Yew Sin as well as the reigning World Champions, Aaron Chia/Soh Wooi Yik were listed for the Malaysian squad in the men’s doubles event.
Fourth-seeded Malaysia was drawn into Group B with India, Kazakhstan, and the UAE.
Meanwhile, Ong told Malaysian media that he and Teo were ready to ‘do whatever it takes’ to help Malaysia achieve the best results in Dubai.
“For the group stage, we will focus on helping the team win the group competition with the clash against India expected to be decisive,” said Ong.
“I think that India is a strong team and it will not be easy to beat them but we will try to win the match to become group champions. This is important in order to get a better draw in the quarter-finals,” added Ong.
On Thursday, India reported that its World No. 6 men’s doubles player – Satwiksairaj Rankireddy has pulled out of the 2023 BAMTC as the experienced men’s doubles player strained his left hip. Therefore, his partner – Chirag Shetty will be paired with World No. 24 Dhruv Kapila at the BAMTC.
If the Malaysian team could secure a semi-finals berth at 2023 BAMTC, it would automatic confirmed for a place at the 2023 Sudirman Cup which is scheduled to take place in Suzhou, China, from May 14 to May 21.
