KUALA LUMPUR: Plans to find an isolated venue for the Thomas-Uber Cup Finals squads’ centralised camp have been aborted.
Instead, the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) will use the Juara Stadium in Bukit Kiara as their venue when they begin the centralised programme from May 4-13.
The Finals will be held in New Delhi from May 18-25 and the teams will leave for India on May 14.
BAM secretary Ng Chin Chai, however, said that all the players will be housed in a nearby hotel during the centralised programme.
“We looked at several venues but logistics was an issue. We cannot just move anywhere we like. The place we choose must have enough facilities to support the team,” said Chin Chai.
BAM had considered Taman Negara in Pahang and also some venues in Penang.
“For a start, we need eight to 10 courts to cater to the players and the hall must be air-conditioned. It was not easy to find a place with the whole package,” said Chin Chai.
“We decided that it was best to stay at ‘home’ (Stadium Juara) and make some changes. All the players will stay under one roof at a hotel nearby. They will travel to and from the hotel to the training ground as a team.
“We will also have special team unity programmes to build camaraderie.”
BAM will finalise the Thomas and Uber Cup squads after a council meeting on May 3.
Till then, players still stand a chance to be considered for the Finals as selection trials will be held from April 28-30 at the Juara Stadium.
Those invited for the trials are former national champion Misbun Ramdan Misbun, former world junior champion Zulfadli Zulkifli and former women’s singles player Sannatasah Saniru.
Those in the tentative Thomas Cup squad are Lee Chong Wei, Chong Wei Feng, Liew Daren, Hoon Thien How-Tan Wee Kiong, Lim Khim Wah-Goh V Shem, Tan Boon Heong, Chan Peng Soon and Ow Yao Han. The tentative women’s squad include Tee Jing Yi, Yang Li Lian, Lim Chiew Sien, Lim Yin Fun, Vivian Hoo-Woon Khe Wei, Ng Hui Lin-Ng Hui Ern, Amelia Anscelly-Soong Fie Choo and Lim Yin Loo-Lee Meng Yean.
Only 10 men and 10 women will be selected and their names will be given to the Badminton World Federation (BWF) on May 4.
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