KUALA LUMPUR, 11 June 2026 – The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) has officially unveiled a series of fresh men’s doubles combinations as the national setup enters a new phase of experimentation and development ahead of a crucial run of tournaments in Asia.
The newly formed partnerships will make their competitive debuts at the upcoming China Open, Taipei Open, Korea Open and Japan Open, with BAM hoping the reshuffle can unlock new chemistry and strengthen Malaysia’s depth in one of its traditionally strongest disciplines.
The announcement signals a strategic move by the coaching team to evaluate different pairing dynamics while maintaining a balance between established stars and emerging talents.
The most eye-catching partnership sees former world champion Aaron Chia joining forces with rising youngster Aaron Tai for the China Open, Taipei Open and Korea Open.
The pairing combines Aaron Chia’s wealth of experience at the highest level with Aaron Tai’s speed, aggression and youthful energy, creating one of the most intriguing combinations Malaysia has assembled in recent years.
The move is expected to provide valuable insights into Aaron Tai’s ability to compete alongside an elite-level partner against the world’s best pairs.
Another major development sees Man Wei Chong partnering former world champion Soh Wooi Yik.
Both players possess explosive attacking styles and significant international experience, making them one of the strongest combinations among the newly announced pairings.
The duo will compete together at the China Open, Taipei Open and Korea Open before continuing their partnership at the Japan Open, highlighting BAM’s confidence in the pairing’s long-term potential.
BAM has also placed considerable faith in the next generation of Malaysian men’s doubles players.
Tee Kai Wun will partner Yap Roy King, while Wan Arif Wan Junaidi joins forces with Kang Khai Xing during the opening three tournaments of the Asian swing.
These combinations provide an important platform for younger players to gain valuable exposure against top international opposition while showcasing their ability to adapt to new partnerships.
The experimentation will continue at the Japan Open, where BAM plans additional adjustments to assess more partnership options.
For the tournament in Tokyo, the pairings will be:
- Man Wei Chong / Soh Wooi Yik
- Wan Arif Wan Junaidi / Yap Roy King
- Kang Khai Xing / Aaron Tai
The changes suggest BAM is taking a flexible approach, prioritising long-term development and performance evaluation rather than committing immediately to fixed combinations.
Malaysia’s men’s doubles department has consistently been among the nation’s strongest medal prospects on the world stage, producing world champions and major international title contenders over the past decade.
With several senior players entering different stages of their careers and younger talents continuing to emerge, BAM’s latest reshuffle reflects a proactive effort to identify the most effective partnerships ahead of future major championships, including the 2027 World Championships and the road towards the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
The upcoming tournaments will provide the first real test of whether these newly formed combinations can develop the chemistry, consistency and tactical understanding required to compete with powerhouse nations such as China, Indonesia, South Korea and Japan.
Credit Photo : SBA
