KUALA LUMPUR – Time is ticking for the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM), which is considering all available options to address the potential problem the national squad is facing in the men’s singles category for the upcoming Thomas Cup.
The Thomas and Uber Cup will be held in Chengdu, China, from April 27 to May 5.
Speaking to the press today, men’s singles coach Datuk Tey Seu Bock said the national body is looking at all available options to prepare the men’s singles for the team competition.
“We are a bit worried about the men’s singles department, we are considering all options, including professional players.
“We have invited Cheam June Wei to train here at Akademi Badminton Malaysia (ABM) to assess if he is fit to play and what his training plan is.
“Of course, the players we have here at ABM are under consideration, like Leong Jun Hao, Justin Hoh, Eugene Ewe Eon, Ong Zhen Yi, Chua Kim Sheng, and a few others.
“Aidil Sholeh Ali Sadikin is no longer a national player, he has only been a sparring partner to the other players since last month so he is not under consideration,” Seu Bock said at ABM in Bukit Kiara.
June Wei left the national team in 2021 after a six year stint.
The 27-year-old is ranked 61 in the world and his most significant result this year was making it to the quarter-finals of the Super 300 Orleans Masters in France last month.
On Tuesday, Lee Zii Jia’s representatives held a discussion with ABM coaching director Rexy Mainaky and said they wanted the world number 11 to push into the top eight of the Race to Paris rankings, where he is currently ranked 10th.
As such, his participation in the Thomas Cup is still undecided, as Zii Jia’s tournament load could be overwhelming if he is added to the team competition’s roster.
Rexy also added that Ng Tze Yong, who is still recovering from a back injury, could have a faint chance of making the squad.
Meanwhile, Seu Bock added that Tze Yong’s recovery is progressing well but the Johorean is still worried about reinjuring his back.
“He is sad that he cannot go to the Olympics but he still has a long career ahead of him.
“He has not fully recovered yet but the doctors are pleased with his progress.
“They said he needed two to six weeks of recovery after undergoing surgery in February, and this is the fifth week.
“He has a chance to make the Thomas Cup squad but I won’t force him. If he is not fit to play, then we won’t include him,” added Seu Bock.
The registration deadline for the Thomas Cup is next Saturday, April 13. – April 5, 2024