KUALA LUMPUR: In principle, the BA of Malaysia (BAM) has given the green light for top women's doubles pair Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah to skip the Uber Cup in Chengdu, China, scheduled for April 27-May 5.
This latest development was shared by BAM coaching director Rexy Mainaky on Tuesday.
"Regarding Pearly-Thinaah, it is almost certain they will not play in the Uber Cup because we need to be realistic.
"The squad list has not been finalised, but the chances of them not playing are about 90 per cent.
"At this point, I can say in principle the management agrees with the decision not to list Pearly-Thinaah," said Rexy when met after the national squad training session at the Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM) in Bukit Kiara.
The closing date to finalise Malaysia's Thomas and Uber Cup squads is April 13.
Previously, Rexy hinted that Pearly-Thinaah are unlikely to feature in the Uber Cup to give them more time to prepare for their Paris Olympics debut in July.
Rexy revealed that in the absence of Pearly-Thinaah, the squad this year will consist of younger players, with women's doubles' Teoh Mei Xing being the oldest at 27.
"So far, Mei Xing is the most senior player. We also want to assess players who play in two events, to see where their strengths lie, whether in women's doubles or mixed doubles," Rexy added.
Malaysia are in Group B alongside Thailand, Taiwan, and Australia in the Uber Cup.
The women's team has never made it past the quarter-finals since the inception of the Uber Cup in 1957.