KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia have drafted 21-year-old Chong Jie Yu into their Uber Cup squad after women’s doubles star Pearly Tan was sidelined with a recurring back injury.
The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) confirmed Jie Yu’s inclusion ahead of the biennial team championship in Horsens, Denmark, running from April 24 to May 3.
“BAM confirms that Jie Yu has been nominated to replace Pearly in the national squad for the Uber Cup,” the association said in a statement.
“Jie Yu will join the team’s training camp in Herning, Denmark, as preparations continue for the upcoming tournament.”
Pearly’s withdrawal is a setback for Malaysia, whose women’s doubles department has been under scrutiny following coaching director Rexy Mainaky’s remarks on its lack of depth.
Currently ranked 64th in the world, Jie Yu pairs with Vanessa Ng. The duo competed at the Badminton Asia Championships in Ningbo last week but were eliminated in the first round.
For the Uber Cup, Jie Yu is expected to partner M. Thinaah as Malaysia’s second women’s doubles pair, behind world number 22 Carmen Ting-Ong Xin Yee.
Malaysia, seeded sixth, have been drawn in Group B alongside Japan, Turkiye, and South Africa, aiming for a quarter-final appearance for the first time since the 2010 edition in Kuala Lumpur. – April 17, 2026