Aaron calls for inclusion of rising pairs in SEA Games squad

KUALA LUMPUR: National men’s doubles player Aaron Chia has urged the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) to consider sending two up-and-coming pairs to the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand.

Aaron said the inclusion of Arif Junaidi-Yap Roy King and Choong Hon Jian-Haikal Nazri would benefit the team.

“I think BAM should send elite back-up pairs like Arif-Roy King and Hon Jian-Haikal. This is their chance (to bring home SEA Games medals),” he said recently.

BAM secretary-general Datuk Kenny Goh said late last year that the national badminton body was expected to send its best players to the SEA Games in December.

Malaysia last won a gold medal at the 2021 SEA Games in Hanoi, Vietnam, but only managed two silvers and four bronzes at the 2023 edition in Phnom Penh.

Aaron, who pairs with Soh Wooi Yik, previously won the men’s doubles gold medal at the 2019 SEA Games in the Philippines.

Last week, world No. 22 Arif-Roy King clinched their first BWF World Tour title at the Macau Open.

They stunned top seeds Sabar Karyaman Gutama-Moh Reza Pahlevi Isfahani of Indonesia, 22-20, 21-18.

World No. 43 Hon Jian-Haikal have been plagued by injuries this season but have won three titles.

These were the 2023 Syed Modi International and Guwahati Masters in India, and the Orleans Masters in France last year.

The 2025 SEA Games will be held in three provinces — Bangkok, Chonburi and Songkhla — from Dec 9-20. – BERNAMA

© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd

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