Good stretch: Valeree Siow (right) warming up alongside two team members at a training session yesterday. — S.S. KANESAN / The Star
PETALING JAYA: Making your debut in a tournament without knowing who you will be partnering can be daunting to some.
But national doubles shuttler Valeree Siow is ready to embrace the challenge after finding herself in the tricky situation in the SEA Games in Cambodia starting next week.
Valeree has been selected to play in the women’s team event but her coaches have yet to decide on her partner.
The 21-year-old’s usual partner Go Pei Kee, who made her debut in last year’s edition in Vietnam, has not been included this time.
This means Valeree could form a scratch partnership with one of these doubles players – Cheng Su Hui, Cheng Su Yin, Low Yeen Yuan, Lee Xin Jie and Yap Ling.
“I’m ready to play with anyone as we train together although I’m still not sure who I will be partnering,” said Valeree.
“I’m also used to changing partners, so I believe I will be able to adapt well to a new one.”
Valeree is known for her versatility and juggles two events - women’s and mixed doubles where she plays with Yap Roy King.
In women’s doubles, the youngster had played with Yeen Yuan since their junior days in 2018 before their partnership was ended last December.
Valeree was teamed up with Xin Jie but both competed in just two tournaments – the International Challenge in Malaysia in December (second round) and Iran in February (quarter-finals).
Her current partner is Pei Kee but she is still finding her feet with her.
The pair have reached the last eight once in the China Masters but were eliminated in the early rounds of the International Challenge in Thailand, Vietnam and Osaka.
Valeree and Pei Kee have been included in the team for the Sudirman Cup from May 14-21 in Suzhou. The world mixed team will be held after the team competition in Phnom Penh from May 8-11.
Despite the hectic schedule, Valeree is staying calm.
“Only the individual event at the Games (May 12-16) will clash with the Sudirman Cup,” said Valeree.
“So, I’m not worried and I believe I can manage both the tournaments.”
