STAGE SET FOR YOUNG PLAYERS
New faces get to prove their worth in the absence of several stars
THIS week’s Badminton Asia Team Championships (BATC) in Shah Alam will mean many things for Malaysia and their players.
The tournament, the second international sporting event to be hosted in Malaysia since the country first closed its borders in March 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, will also allow fans into its venue.
This is seen as a huge boost for the Malaysian men's team who are hoping to win the title for the first time since 1965.
At the previous edition in Manila two years ago, the Lee Zii Jia-led young Malaysian team surprised everyone when they came close to capturing the trophy before losing 3-1 to Indonesia in the final.
This year, the men's squad will once again be led by Zii Jia, who courted controversy last month when he left the national team in a huff to pursue a professional career.
The BA of Malaysia (BAM), in their continuous effort to produce more stars for the future, have decided to field several new faces, including 20-year-old Jacky Kok and men's doubles Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun.
The goal, however, remains the same for everyone, to earn automatic qualification for the Thomas Cup in Bangkok on May 17-22.
Only the top two teams from both Group A and Group B will qualify for the prestigious event.
With China, Thailand and Taiwan absent due to the pandemic, the title is surely Malaysia's for the taking.
Malaysia are in Group B with Japan, Singapore and Kazakhstan, while defending champions Indonesia, India, South Korea and Hong Kong make up Group B.
BAM's singles coaching director Wong Choong Hann pointed out that it is important for the younger shuttlers to prove their worth.
This is because most teams have decided to field their second-stringers.
Putting Zii Jia aside, Choong Hann believes the rest must rise to the occasion to show that they are the best, even among the backup playing field.
“The BATC will be the perfect platform for up-and-coming players to prove their worth. While most teams will be relying on their second-stringers, we want ours to prove that they are the best among the backup players.
“While these players still have time to prove themselves and earn qualification for bigger events like the Thomas Cup and Asian Games, the next big event for them will be the Vietnam Sea Games. Doing well at the BATC will give us an early indication,” the former world No 1 told Timesport.
On whether BAM were taking a gamble when they said that every player would get a chance to play, Choong Hann added: “We will definitely balance it out. Thankfully, we have teams like Kazakhstan in the group.
“Initially, our target was to reach the semi-finals, but with the withdrawals of several top teams and the absence of big names from the other teams, we have to go for the title.
“We don't want to underestimate anybody, but given the strength that we have in terms of our players, I believe we should pull through this.”
One of the highlights of the tournament will be when Malaysia open their campaign against neighbours Singapore on Wednesday, as all eyes will be on the match between Zii Jia and world champion Loh Kean Yew.
Much is at stake between these two players, who will be playing for bragging rights.
The Singaporean came out tops in their last two encounters, but Zii Jia will want to silence his critics, especially since leaving the national setup.
All said and done, the BATC promises fireworks and is set to be the benchmark for future sporting events in the country in this pandemic era.
FIXTURES — BATC
TOMORROW — Men’s Group A: Indonesia v Hong Kong (4pm),
India v South Korea (4pm). Women’s Group Y: India v Malaysia (4pm);
Group Z: Indonesia v Hong Kong (10am), South Korea v Kazakhstan (10am).
* All ties at the Setia City Convention Centre.