KUALA LUMPUR — After weeks of speculations, Malaysia’s top women’s doubles pair Pearly Tan and M. Thinaah have finally addressed questions surrounding their future with the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM).
However, the newly crowned Thailand Open champions remained guarded when asked whether their recent social media comments indicated they would remain with the national team.
Speaking to reporters after testing the courts at Axiata Arena today ahead of this week’s Malaysia Masters (Super 500), Thinaah said, "As for that question, we just want to focus on this week’s tournament. We don’t want anything to distract us."
While the world number four pair remain non-committal, it is understood that BAM plans to meet them soon to resolve the matter.
On Sunday, national women’s doubles head coach Rosman Razak congratulated Pearly and Thinaah following their impressive 21-16, 21-15 win over South Korea’s Jeong Na-eun and Lee Yeon-woo in the Thailand Open final in Bangkok.
The victory was a historic one, with Pearly and Thinaah becoming the first Malaysian women’s pair to win the title since the tournament began in 1984.
Rosman also thanked BAM, its newly appointed president Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz, and Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh in his social media post.
Both Pearly and Thinaah responded to the post with comments that appeared to signal their intention to continue training under Rosman — and ultimately to stay with BAM.
Scoop first reported in April that Pearly and Thinaah were considering turning professional. BAM later confirmed that they remain the only national players yet to sign new contracts, after their previous deals expired in December 2024.
It is understood that the duo are seeking improved remuneration — reportedly aiming for a package on par with BAM’s top earners, believed to be around RM2 million a year.
A source close to the players told Scoop that Pearly and Thinaah are expected to sign new contracts with BAM following ongoing negotiations.
Meanwhile, BAM secretary-general Datuk Kenny Goh said today that the contract issue would be resolved soon.
"We said we’d meet them after the Thailand Open. The Singapore Open is next week. We’ll find the right time to have that discussion," he said briefly.
Pearly and Thinaah, runners-up at the Malaysia Masters two years ago, will begin their campaign on Wednesday against Hong Kong’s Fan Ka Yan and Yau Mau Ying.
"We’re happy with the Thailand Open win, but that’s now in the past. We’re excited to play in front of our home fans, but we don’t want to put too much pressure on ourselves. As always, we’ll take it one match at a time," said Pearly. - May 19, 2025
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