FOR men's doubles Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong, the wellbeing of their families is paramount.
And as a result, the 2016 Rio Olympic Games silver medallists have decided to skip the Thomas Cup in Aarhus, Denmark on Oct 3-11.
Speaking to Timesport yesterday, V Shem said: "It was not an easy decision to make. Both Wee Kiong and I discussed about it and came to a conclusion that we have to stay back home for our families.
"My daughter is only about a month old, and Wee Kiong is expecting his firstborn mid-next month.
"Given the current global Covid-19 situation, it is just too risky for us to travel.
"On top of that, we want to help around at home too.
"We want to represent the country, we really do, but circumstances are such."
V Shem-Wee Kiong have also confirmed that they will not compete in the Denmark Open on Oct 13-18 and the Denmark Masters on Oct 20-25.
In the absence of V Shem-Wee Kiong, World No 28 Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani have been named as the third pair by the BA of Malaysia (BAM), who released a 20-member squad for the Thomas and Uber Cup Finals yesterday.
World No 9 Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik and 15th-ranked Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi will play first and second doubles respectively.
For the men's singles, the national body selected World No 10 Lee Zii Jia, Liew Daren, Cheam June Wei and 2017 Asian junior champion Leong Jun Hao.
V Shem-Wee Kiong are not the only high profile casualties of the world team event as reigning women's singles world champion P.V. Sindhu of India also announced her withdrawal from the Uber Cup last week.
Taiwan had earlier pulled out of both the Thomas and Uber Cups due to the pandemic.
Malaysia, who last lifted the Thomas Cup in 1992, are in Group A with 13-time winners Indonesia, Netherlands and England.
For the Uber Cup, Malaysia are in Group B with Indonesia, South Korea and Australia.
BAM have set a semi-final target for the men's team and a quarter-final target for the Uber Cup team.
The national body are also expected to organise a one-day team event simulation before the players leave for Denmark.