KUALA LUMPUR: Apart from giving pearls of wisdom, co-captain Pearly Tan professed that she is learning from others in Malaysia’s Sudirman Cup team.
Pearly, who forms the world No. 5 women’s doubles with M. Thinaah, said she will help the junior shuttlers cope with the pressure while learning from the seniors at the same time.
The Sudirman Cup, which is a world mixed team event, begins on Sunday in Xiamen, China. Fifth-seed Malaysia are in Group C with Japan, France and Australia where the top two will qualify for the quarter-finals.
Sudirman Cup debutants like women’s doubles player Carmen Ting and mixed doubles player Cheng Su Yin can learn from Pearly, who is a veteran of team competition.
Pearly will also be at hand to offer tips to less experienced women’s doubles player Go Pei Kee and women’s singles K. Letshanaa in Xiamen.
Pearly, for herself, can also get tips from men’s doubles world No. 4 Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik who previously captained Malaysia at other major events.
“As a captain, I’m not nervous but excited. This team is a mix of seniors and juniors where I have a lot to learn myself from the seniors,” said Pearly.
“I have been a junior before and I don’t want them to be nervous and will always motivate them (juniors) if they are down.
“The feeling of one team and unity can be experienced again this time (at the Sudirman Cup) just like our preparation two years ago.
“It has been a great environment during the training camp. Everyone was happy and was also focused on training,” said Pearly.
The Malaysian team, who are already in Xiamen, aim to at least achieve a third consecutive top four finish in the Sudirman Cup, after doing so in 2021 and 2023.
Co-captain Leong Jun Hao also said he will have plenty to learn from the Sudirman Cup campaign and is taking the approach of collective responsibility in embracing victory and defeat as a team.
“As captain, I have the responsibility to help the team work together. We go together and win together,” he said.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
