PETALING JAYA: National singles coaching director Wong Choong Hann has assured Ng Tze Yong will be part of the national squad should Malaysia qualify for the Sudirman Cup in Suzhou, China (May 14-21).
Tze Yong, ranked world No. 28, was omitted for the Asian Mixed Team Championships in Dubai from Feb 14-19 where world No. 4 Lee Zii Jia and 65th-ranked Leong Jun Hao got the nod for the men’s singles.
The rest of the team members are Goh Jin Wei (No. 29) and Wong Ling Ching (No. 235) in the women’s singles, men’s doubles world No. 2 Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik and Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi as well as women’s doubles Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah (No. 6) and Go Pei Kee-Teoh Mei Xing (No. 109) and mixed doubles Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing (No. 6) and Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei (No. 57).
“Tze Yong was left out of the Asian Mixed Team due to his long-term programme which is geared towards the Olympic qualification period,” said Choong Hann.
“His preparation has been very good. He has shown improvement in physical strength, speed fitness and other aspects. So, it’s not just for him to prepare for the All- England and Swiss Open (in March).
“If we can qualify for the Sudirman Cup, Tze Yong will be in the line-up as he will be the No. 2 singles (behind Lee Zii Jia).
“This is the best time for him (Tze Yong) to improve his physical condition so that he will be able to cope with a hectic tournament schedule that will begin with the Olympic qualifying period starting in May.
“We don’t want Tze Yong’s search for Olympic points to be disrupted.”
Choong Hann also added it is a good opportunity for Jun Hao to gain experience playing in the team event as well as gaining sufficient points to improve his world ranking. “Jun Hao has been showing good progress and also won the Indonesian Masters (Super 100) in Malang. So, this is a bonus for him to get more opportunities to play against top 30 players at the Asian Mixed Team,” said Choong Hann.
