KUALA LUMPUR — Now that the cat’s out of the bag, world number five Pearly Tan and M. Thinaah must decide whether to stay with the national team or chart their own path after the Sudirman Cup.
The mixed team championship, scheduled from April 27 to May 4 in Xiamen, China, could potentially mark their final outing under the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) — unless the women’s doubles duo choose to renew their contracts.
Their continued hesitation to sign fresh terms has only fuelled speculation that they may be considering an independent future, much like several top Malaysian shuttlers before them.
The ongoing limbo raises pressing questions: How long can Pearly and Thinaah go on without a contract? How are they being paid, and who is covering their tournament expenses?
According to sources, the pair are believed to be asking for a higher salary, possibly on par with some of BAM’s top earners — several of whom reportedly take home up to RM2 million annually through combined salaries, incentives, and endorsements.
The uncertainty also comes at a critical time, with the Road to Gold (RTG) Committee set to meet soon to evaluate who will remain in the elite programme leading up to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Their unresolved status could put their place in the RTG initiative at risk, potentially affecting their Olympic preparations.
When asked recently about the situation, BAM secretary-general Datuk Kenny Goh said: “So far we have not heard anything, so I assume they are still with us. Discussions are ongoing regarding their contracts.”
Should the pair walk away, they wouldn’t be the first to do so. Men’s doubles duo Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin opted for independence last year, and have since shot up to a career-high world number two.
For now, Pearly and Thinaah remain part of the national squad, but with the Sudirman Cup just weeks away, the clock is ticking on a decision that could reshape their future. — April 5, 2025