In a surprising move, Hoo Pang Ron was named the Malaysian captain for the 2025 Badminton Asia Mixed Team Championship (BAMTC) in Qingdao, China, starting on Tuesday.
Pang Ron and his partner, Cheng Su Yin, are the second-best mixed doubles pair in the national team behind Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei.
“This is my first time being named team captain, and I was genuinely surprised – especially with a senior player like Goh Soon Huat in the squad,” said the 27-year-old.
“But I’m honoured and excited. I’ll take on this responsibility to the best of my ability.”
Pang Ron called for support in the continental event.
“We need to support each other, whether we’re leading or trailing,” he said.
Malaysia are drawn in Group B with Indonesia and Hong Kong. The Malaysian captain, additionally, said that his team will be unperturbed by the cold weather in Qingdao, China.
The Group B action begins on Tuesday with Indonesia taking on Hong Kong. Malaysia will open their account against Hong Kong on Wednesday.
The last time Malaysia met Hong Kong in a mixed team event was in a 2009 Sudirman Cup Group Stage, where the former won 4-1.
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