BAM official challenges Malaysia squad to reach Thomas Cup final
A Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) official has challenged the Malaysian squad to reach the Thomas Cup final amidst all adversities.
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BAM OFFICIAL REXY DARES MALAYSIA SQUAD TO STEP UP
BAM coaching director Rexy Mainaky challenged Malaysia’s men’s squad to step up and reach the Thomas Cup final in Chengdu, China this year.
Mainaky called on Malaysia’s national shuttlers to overcome injury issues when the Thomas Cup unfolds from April 27 to May 5.
“It’s the best time to prove our worth as a badminton-playing nation,” Mainaky said as reported by The Star.
“People may see or read that our team preparations may look a bit messy lately but we showed that we are still focused,” he added.
Malaysia last reached the Thomas Cup final in 2014, when it lost, 2-3, to Japan in New Delhi.
Malaysia last won it all in 1992.
LEE ZII JIA TO LEAD MALAYSIA IN THOMAS CUP FINAL AS TZE YONG OUT
Malaysia’s top singles player Lee Zii Jia hopes to lead Malaysia to the Thomas Cup final as Ng Tze Yong is out.
World No.18 Tze Yong had to go through a second surgery as a result of a rare condition that came up after his initial surgery in February.
The Malaysian squad will leave for Chengdu on Wednesday although Zii Jia will have a separate training program from his teammates.
BAM has named Choong Hon Jian to replace Tze Yong in the lineup.
Malaysia is bunched with European champions Denmark, Algeria, and Hong Kong in Group D.
MALAYSIA URGED TO FOCUS ON HONG KONG, SAYS REXY
While Denmark is their toughest opponent in Group D, Rexy urged the team to focus on their opening tie against Hong Kong on April 27.
“The match against Hong Kong is very crucial. If we win, then we will just one step away from the knockout stage,” Rexy said.
“We probably will have to count on Lee Zii Jia to win the singles point while our doubles must contribute the points,” he added.
After Hong Kong, Malaysia next faces Algeria on April 28 and Denmark on April 30.
Meanwhile, BAM psychologist Frederick Tan assured Rexy of full support when Malaysia’s centralized training camp begins this week.
