Kuala Lumpur — Malaysia’s mixed doubles world champions Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei have been appointed captains of the national badminton squad for the 2025 Thailand SEA Games, marking the first time the duo will lead the men’s and women’s teams respectively. Both players expressed hope of returning from Thailand with gold medals in hand.
During the official flag-presentation and send-off ceremony, Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei stepped forward to read the athletes’ oath on behalf of the entire badminton contingent—an honor that highlights their leadership roles heading into the regional multi-sport event.
“A meaningful responsibility,” says Chen Tang Jie
Speaking about being entrusted with the captaincy, Tang Jie said the appointment was both a learning opportunity and a source of motivation.
“I’m grateful to the coaches for giving me this chance. Being a team captain is something new for me, and it pushes me to improve. Both Ee Wei and I have our own goals, and we will give everything we have,” he shared.
Chen Tang Jie previously won the mixed doubles gold medal at the 2021 SEA Games in Vietnam, partnering Peck Yen Wei. This time, he aims to secure his second SEA Games gold alongside Toh Ee Wei.
He added that the pair are choosing not to overthink expectations:
“We’re not treating the pressure as a burden. What the coaches said is realistic—our focus is on maintaining our condition and taking care of our bodies. On match day, anything can happen, so we must simply give our best.”
Despite being reigning world champions, Chen Tang Jie stressed that no opponent can be underestimated:
“There’s no guaranteed victory in sports. We respect every pair we face and believe in our coaches, our team, and each other.”
Toh Ee Wei: “We will fight for every point”
For Toh Ee Wei, this SEA Games will be her debut appearance, making the captaincy even more meaningful.
“I’m thankful that the coaches trust us. I’ll do everything I can to support the team, especially in team events where encouragement really matters,” she said.
When asked if she hopes to win gold with Tang Jie, she smiled and replied:
“Of course everyone dreams of winning, but we need to focus on each match and every point. That’s the only way to get there.”
Malaysia’s singles coaching director Kenneth Jonassen highlighted the importance of men’s singles performance, especially in the chase for the men’s team gold medal. He emphasized that Leong Jun Hao and Justin Hoh have withdrawn from the Australian Open to better prepare for the SEA Games.
“Medals from multi-sport events are significant. Singles players often contribute key points. For me, this SEA Games is an important first step toward the major championships in 2026,” Jonassen said.
He added that both Leong Jun Hao and Justin Hoh lack the big-match experience that Tang Jie and Ee Wei possess, making this tournament an essential part of their development.
“They must learn to handle pressure. If they want to win at major events in the future, it starts here,” he explained.
When asked whether specific medal targets had been set, Jonassen kept expectations private:
“As long as they perform at their best, I have no complaints. The opponent may be stronger on the day, but what I want most is to see them execute what they’ve trained, play boldly, make sharp decisions, and show team spirit.”
The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) has set a target of four gold medals at the 2025 Thailand SEA Games, which will be held from December 9 to December 20.
As the team departs for Thailand, the spotlight will be on their newly appointed captains, Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei, as they lead the national squad into one of the most important badminton events of the year.
