PETALING JAYA: While waiting to see whether Lee Zii Jia (pic) is ready to don the national jersey again, singles coaching director Kenneth Jonassen stressed that he will continue preparing the best possible men’s singles line-up despite recent inconsistency.
The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) have sent an invitation to the Paris Olympic bronze medallist to take part in a centralised training camp ahead of the Thomas Cup Finals in Horsens, Denmark, from April 24-May 3.
Jonassen said assembling the strongest possible squad is not solely dependent on Zii Jia’s availability but also on the overall depth of the team.
The latest update received by the national set-up was that Zii Jia was nursing an injury during the Thailand Masters, where he was forced to retire in the quarter-finals against Indonesia’s Alwi Farhan.
“I do not really know what to say because it is only natural. We are preparing in the best possible way to ensure all the players are ready to step up,” said Jonassen.
“The players understand the tall task ahead of them and they are committed to giving their very best.
“We have to dream big and try our hardest. That is the key to success.
“If you go all out and still fall short, at least you can say you gave everything.
“You can look at the world rankings yourselves. It is not just me saying it. But that does not mean it is impossible.”
Apart from Zii Jia, Malaysia’s hopes are also pinned on Leong Jun Hao and Justin Hoh, as well as youngsters Eogene Ewe and Kong Wei Xiang, who were included in the squad for last week’s Asia Team Championships in Qingdao, China.
Independent player Aidil Sholeh Ali Sadikin has also been roped in by BAM to bolster preparations that started last week.
“Of course we are preparing this week and next week with a major focus on the Thomas Cup for the top players here. These weeks were designed not for short term international tournaments but as preparation for the Thomas Cup,” he said.
BAM, through their president Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, is standing firm on the governing body’s original target of winning the Thomas Cup this year, which would end the nation’s 34 year wait since last lifting the title in 1992 in Kuala Lumpur.
