KUALA LUMPUR: With a long term plan in mind, mixed doubles coach Pang Cheh Chang has decided to scratch some of his top pairs for the National Championships, which starts tomorrow, in Ipoh.
Instead of going for the title, Cheh Chang wants to see his senior charges guide their junior teammates in an effort to bridge the gap in terms of standard.
"The main reason is because I want the seniors to guide the back up players by sharing their experience.
"This is a long term plan.
"In fact, seniors also faced with various challenges. Scratching the pairs would allow them to identify and rectify their problems," said Cheh Chang on Sunday.
For the national meet, Cheh Chang will split Goh Soon Huat and Shevon Lai with World No 54 Hoo Pang Ron-Cheah Yee See.
Malaysia's third ranked pair Chen Tang Jie-Peck Yen Wei will swap partners with Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing.
While acknowledging the move would open a clear path to the title for independent pair Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying, the coach still expects to see the scratch pairs putting up a good fight.
"The learning process is important because the BA of Malaysia are sending a very young team to Hong Kong for the Tong Yun Kai Cup (Asian Mixed Team Championship).
"I want to take this opportunity to let the younger players work with their seniors in a tournament.
"Peng Soon-Liu Ying are definitely clear favourites to clinch the title but I want to see our scratch combinations giving a good fight," added Cheh Chang.
In the top half of the draw, 2016 Rio Olympic Games silver medallists Peng Soon-Liu Ying are together with Soon Huat-Yee See and Kian Meng-Yen Wei.
The tournament begins with two days of qualifying before the first round on Wednesday.
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