We’ll be all right: Yap Roy King will be making his SEA Games debut while Yap Ling is set for her second appearance.
PETALING JAYA: Yap Roy King is one cool customer.
The national doubles shuttler is not panicking despite being given a new partner for the SEA Games in Cambodia from May 5-17.
Debutant Roy King, who usually plays with Valeree Siow in the mixed doubles, has been surprisingly paired up with Yap Ling for the biennial Games.
The 22-year-old, though, is unfazed by the change in partnership and is instead looking to enjoying a strong outing in his debut.
“I’m still young, so trying out a different partner is actually not a problem for me,” said Roy King.
“I’m used to changing partners as I’ve done so in the past.
“My focus is to try and adapt my game well with Yap Ling.
“I’m really happy to be given the opportunity to compete in the SEA Games.
“Even though Yap Ling and I will be playing together for the first time, I’m aiming to reach the final with her.”
Last year, Malaysia had captured a gold and silver in the mixed doubles event through Chen Tang Jie-Peck Yen Wei and Hoo Pang Ron-Cheah Yee See respectively.
Meanwhile, Yap Ling will be competing in the Games for the second time after making her debut last year in Vietnam.
The 23-year-old will be looking to do better this time after failing to impress with Go Pei Kee in the women’s doubles.
Yap Ling-Pei Kee did not go past the early rounds in the individual event.
Roy King and Yap Ling have also been named in the men’s and women’s team events along with Valeree.
The others in the men’s team are Leong Jun Hao, Justin Hoh, Ong Ken Yon, Lee Shun Yang (singles); Beh Chun Meng, Goh Boon Sze, Chia Weijie, Liew Xun, Choong Hon Jian (doubles).
In the women’s team, the others will be Siti Nurshuhaini Azman, Tan Zhing Yi, Wong Ling Ching, Ong Xin Yee (singles); Cheng Su Hui, Cheng Su Yin, Low Yeen Yuan and Lee Xin Jie (doubles).
