Great sense won when the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) named Goh Soon Huat as the fourth singles player for the Thomas Cup Finals in New Delhi from May 18-25.
The badminton community were anxiously waiting for BAM's decision as there had been talk that they might notice world No. 1 Lee Chong Wei's proposal that Misbun Ramdan Misbun be included on the grounds that he is more aggressive and has won five international competitions so far.
On Saturday, everything descended to respecting their word of honor at their council meeting and BAM ran with the champ of the two selection trials.
Soon Huat has beaten Ramdan twice in the selection trials, but he still need to prove himself when it comes to competition outside the country. However, BAM president, Tengku Tan Sri Mahaleel Tengku Ariff believes Soon Huat has vindicated BAM's confidence in him.
Soon Huat will join Chong Wei, Chong Wei Feng and Liew Daren in the singles division, while BAM have entered six doubles players namely – Tan Boon Heong, Hoon Thien How, Lim Khim Wah, Goh V Shem, Tan Wee Kiong and Chan Peng Soon – to finish the 10-part solid Thomas Cup squad.
Tengku Mahalee said, “It’s a decision the council members were unanimous on and we were transparent. We wanted the best athletes to go. After looking at the physical condition report and the report from the coaches that he put in a lot of hard work, we opted for Soon Huat.”
He also added that, “centralised training will start on Monday.”
“The shuttlers will check in tomorrow and they will stay together with the coaches to encourage team-building before they leave for New Delhi on May 15.”
The team have been finalised yet the desires have been toned down contrasted with past editions recognizing the absence of profundity this time.
Practically Malaysia don't have a chance at all to battle for the title and Tengku Mahaleel conceded that their target is to achieve the semi-finals.
“We would like to win but the reality is we are the underdogs this time. But I would like to challenge the players to perform beyond their capabilities.”
Malaysia is in Group C with South Korea, Germany and India. Only the top two from each group will advance to the quarter-finals.
Two years back, at the Finals in Wuhan, China, Malaysia lost 3-0 to the hosts in the quarter-finals.
Tengku Mahaleel additionally defended the decision to send their women’s doubles shuttlers to Kelantan to prepare for three days.
The stretch included reigning SEA Games champions Woon Khe Wei-Vivian Hoo, Amelia Anscelly-Soong Fie Cho and Lee Meng Yean-Lim Yin Loo, who have been picked as the doubles players for the Uber Cup Finals which will also be held in New Delhi while the Thomas Cup is ongoing.
“We got the coaches to work on different game plans as well as improve their service. Besides the six doubles players, the singles players going to the Finals are Tee Jing Yee, Yang Li Lian, Lim Chiew Sien and Lim Yin Fun.”
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