PETALING JAYA: The door remains open for any men’s doubles pair hoping to force their way into Malaysia’s Thomas Cup squad for the Finals in Horsens, Denmark, from April 24-May 3, even after independent pair Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani agreed to come on board.
National doubles coaching director Rexy Mainaky said the current line up of Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun and Sze Fei-Izzuddin already looks solid on paper.
However, Rexy is not ruling out other combinations if they produce standout results during the upcoming European tour.
The Badminton World Federation (BWF) world tour calendar resumes next Tuesday with the German Open from Feb 24-March 1, followed by the All-England (March 3-8), the Swiss Open (March 10-15) and the Orleans Masters (March 17-22).
“If we look at it now, the top three are already there. Aaron-Wooi Yik, Wei Chong-Kai Wun, and Sze Fei-Izzuddin.
The others seeking for opportunity to be part of the team are Wan Arif Wan Junaidi-Yap Roy King and Choong Hon Jian-Mohd Haikal Nazri.
“But we know if, let’s say at the All-England or the tournaments before that, Arif-Roy come up with an amazing result, then it will be a different story,” said Rexy.
Malaysia typically field six doubles players and four men’s singles shuttlers for the Thomas Cup.
At the same time, Rexy revealed that Sze Fei-Izzuddin are expected to train more frequently at the Academy Badminton Malaysia in Bukit Kiara, as their commitment extends beyond the Thomas Cup to the Asian Games in Aichi Nagoya in September.
That arrangement, however, is still subject to further discussions with the pair, including plans to have them join the centralised training camp in Denmark.
The national squad are planning to depart early for Denmark to acclimatise to the weather and conditions ahead of the Finals.
“We are still in discussions. So far they train with us once or twice a week in preparation for the training camp. We will see whether before the Asian Championships they can train more than two days.
“We are already looking ahead to the Thomas Cup preparation. What is certain is that Sze Fei Izzuddin will join us for the training camp,” he added.
