Good chance: Justin Hoh will be out to deliver Malaysia’s first point in the team event.
PETALING JAYA: The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) are still targeting the title at the Asia Team Championships despite sending a back-up squad to the tournament starting today in Qingdao, China.
BAM performance committee chairman Lee Chong Wei said the campaign will serve as an important test for the younger players, especially with several rivals opting to field their top names.
South Korea have named world-class doubles pair Kim Won-ho–Seo Seung-jae, while Singapore’s Loh Kean Yew, India’s Lakshya Sen and Hong Kong’s Angus Ng Ka Long are also leading their respective teams
Chong Wei stressed that the presence of established stars should not discourage the young Malaysian players selected for the trip to Qingdao.
Instead, he wants them to seize the opportunity to test themselves and attempt to spring a surprise.
“This time, of course we want to be champions. That is normal. Whenever we send a team, the target is always to win the title, but we also have to look at the level of our players and how they perform,” he said.
Malaysia’s men players are Justin Hoh, Aidil Sholeh Ali Sadikin, Eogene Ewe, Kong Wei Xiang (singles), Wan Arif Junaidi-Yap Roy King, Choong Hon Jia-Mohd Haikal Nazri, Kang Khai Xing-Aaron Tai (doubles) while the women are K. Letshanaa, Wong Ling Ching, Siti Zulaikha Azmi, Oo Shan Zi (singles), Ong Xin Yee-Carmen Ting, Chong Jie Yu-Vanessa Ng, Low Zi Yu-Noraqilah Maisarah Ramdan (doubles).
“It is not easy. Some countries are sending full teams, while others are sending partial squads,” said Chong Wei.
“We are sending an mostly junior players, and this is a good opportunity for young players to gain valuable experience.
“Even if they lose, at least they fight until the end. The coaches and management can then evaluate them. I see this as a chance for the younger generation to prove their ability, to show what they have been doing in training and how they translate that into competition,” said Chong Wei.
The Asia Team meet serve as a qualifying event for the Thomas and Uber Cup Finals in Horsens, Denmark, from April 24-May 3, and Chong Wei believes Malaysia will have no trouble securing a spot.
Four semi finalists from the Asian and European continental team championships, as well as the champions from Africa, Oceania and Pan Am, will qualify for the Finals. The remaining three places will be filled based on world rankings.
Malaysia are currently ranked fifth in the world.
“We know that we have already qualified, so why not give the younger generation the chance to gain this experience? This is not something that can be bought with money. They have to go out there, play and experience the tournament atmosphere themselves.
“If we keep them as reserves all the time, there is no point. At least now they get the chance to play.
“This is valuable experience for the younger players,” added Chong Wei.
The men’s team will open their Group D campaign against Myanmar tomorrow and followed by Indonesia on Thursday while the women’s team are assured of a quarter-final spot as there are only two teams in Group W, including China.
