KUALA LUMPUR: National coach Rosman Razak has confirmed a major shake-up is on the way for the women's doubles department as he aims to produce new combinations in the same mould as world No. 7 Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah.
While Pearly-Thinaah's partnership will remain intact, Rosman plans to review seven other pairs to form fresh combinations.
Rosman has warned that players who fail to adapt may be dropped.
The 48-year-old coach will assess each pair's progress and characteristics before deciding on the new combinations.
Even national No. 2 Teoh Mei Xing-Go Pei Kee, who recently clinched the Malaysia Super 100 title, will not be exempt from the reshuffle.
Rosman is determined to closing the quality gap, which has left Pearly-Thinaah carrying the weight of Malaysia's hopes alone during tournaments.
Rosman, who guided Chow Mei Kuan-Vivian Hoo to the Commonwealth Games gold in 2018, believes the current crop of shuttlers should aim to reach Pearly-Thinaah's level.
"They have a top-class pair as a role model to inspire them," said Rosman at Academy Badminton Malaysia in Bukit Kiara yesterday.
"When Pearly and Thinaah started in 2019, they had no one to look up to.
"I currently have seven pairs, and the reshuffle will involve them all. I'll assess each player's strengths and character before finalising the new combinations.
"Although we have performance data on these players, I want to observe them in training and competition first," he added.
Rosman said final number of national pairs would depend on feedback from the BA of Malaysia (BAM) and coaching director Rexy Mainaky.
His goal is to maintain Pearly-Thinaah's performance, while nurturing growth among the rest.
Though he hasn't set a timeline for closing the gap, Rosman is determined to build a team of quality pairs.
The younger pairs — Carmen Ting-Ong Xin Yee, Lee Xin Jee-Cheng Su Hui, Amanda Yap-Tan Zhing Hui, Chan Wen Tse-Chong Jie Yu, and Vanessa Ng-Vannee Gobi — will compete at the Malaysian International Series in Johor Baru from Nov 12-17 before Rosman finalises the new pairings.