KUALA LUMPUR – The next 72 hours promise to be a thrilling time for Malaysia’s men’s singles player, Cheam June Wei, as he eagerly awaits word on whether he has secured a spot in the Thomas Cup squad.
This year’s edition is scheduled to take place from April 28 to May 5 in Chengdu, China.
All 16 qualifying nations for the prestigious team championship have until this Saturday to finalise their squads, with the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) expected to unveil theirs sooner.
Speaking to Scoop, June Wei expressed his fervent hope of once again donning the national jersey after being called up by BAM to join the national squad training sessions last week.
His extensive experience in team events gives him an advantage over the other men’s singles in the national team camp.
One of his most unforgettable moments came during the 2020 Badminton Asia Team Championships in Manila, where June Wei showcased remarkable prowess by securing victory over Indonesia’s top player, Jonatan Christie, in the finals.
However, it wasn’t sufficient to prevent Indonesia from clinching the championship with a 3-1 win.
If selected, it would serve as a golden opportunity to reaffirm his status as one of the best men’s singles players in Malaysia.
“I’m thrilled and honoured to be considered by BAM for their training sessions, and naturally, I hope to represent my country again.
“Given my current ranking, I believe I stand a good chance of making it into the squad, as I currently hold the fourth position in the country.
“I also bring valuable experience in team events, and I’ve performed well in previous team tournaments. So, I’m eager to contribute to the team’s success once more,” said the 27-year-old player.
At present, the participation of key players like Lee Zii Jia and Ng Tze Yong remains uncertain, with Zii Jia aiming to focus on the Paris Olympics while Tze Yong continues to recuperate from a back injury.
Nevertheless, BAM president Tan Sri Mohamad Norza Zakaria remains optimistic that Zii Jia will reconsider his decision to join the national squad, ensuring Malaysia arrives in Chengdu with a formidable team. – April 10, 2024