Malaysia's mixed doubles department has been forced into a major rethink following confirmation that Toh Ee Wei is dealing with an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.
National mixed doubles coach Nova Widianto revealed that discussions are still ongoing with medical specialists to determine the best course of treatment, with no decision yet made on whether surgery will be required.
As a result, there is currently no timeline for Ee Wei's return to competition, leaving Malaysia facing uncertainty ahead of several important tournaments, including the World Championships in New Delhi in August.
The injury is a significant blow to the national setup, particularly as preparations for the season's biggest event enter a crucial phase. Nova admitted the setback has disrupted plans and forced the coaching team to explore alternative options in the mixed doubles department.
Complicating matters further is the World Championships qualification system, which is based solely on world rankings. This means the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) has limited flexibility when it comes to making replacement selections for the tournament.
With Ee Wei sidelined, her regular partner, Chen Tang Jie, will team up with promising youngster Clarissa San at the upcoming Japan Open and China Open.
The temporary partnership gives Clarissa an opportunity to gain experience at the highest level after impressing in the junior ranks. It also allows the coaching staff to assess potential combinations while Ee Wei continues her recovery.
Source: FMT
At the same time, Nova is evaluating additional options as Malaysia looks to strengthen its mixed doubles depth. One of the pairings under consideration is Jimmy Wong and Cheng Su Yin, who will be given a four-tournament trial period.
The duo are set to compete together at the Malaysia Masters, Singapore Open, Indonesia Open and Australia Open, with their performances helping determine whether the partnership will continue beyond those events.
Nova stressed that no long-term decisions have been made and further changes remain possible as the coaching team assesses its options.
With Ee Wei's recovery timeline still unclear, Malaysia's mixed doubles coaches now face the challenge of balancing short-term tournament objectives with longer-term planning. The coming weeks could prove crucial as new partnerships are tested and the national team works to maintain its competitiveness despite the absence of one of its key players.
