Thomas Cup: BAM Crisis Will Not Affect Players Focus

KUALA LUMPUR, April 21 (Bernama) -- Any crisis in the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) will not affect the focus of national players in the Thomas Cup championship to be held over May 9-16.

National singles coach Datuk Misbun Sidek said coaches and players had no intention be involved in problems faced by BAM and would rather give 100 per cent committment to the championship.

"We have no wish to interfere, We, the coaches, only concentrate on preparation," he told reporters during a training session at the Bukit Kiara Juara Stadium near here Wednesday morning.

Also in attendance was Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek who monitored the training.

BAM's internal problems surfaced following the sacking of the association's honorary secretary, P. Ganga Rao, last week.

Doubles coach, Rexy Mainacky said this was a "crucial time" for the country to be united as the championship draws closer.

"Let there be no interference on the players' focus," he said.

Aside from that Ahmad Shabery said preparations for the Thomas Cup championship were going well.

He said the first, second and third singles as well as the the first and second doubles players had been identified and will be announced on Friday.

Players expected to be named are Datuk Lee Chong Wei, Wong Choon Han and Muhammad Hafiz Hashim for the singles while Koo Kean Keat-Tan Boon Heong and Mohd Fairuzizuan Mohd Tazari-Mohd Zakry Abdul are slated for first and second doubles.

Besides that junior players of potential as back-ups are Tan Chun Seang for the singles; and Mak Hee Chun-Tan Wee Kiong; and Ong Soon Hock-Hoon Thien for the doubles.

Source from BERNAMA

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