Chin Chai, Misbun discuss Thomas Cup qualifying squad this week

KUALA LUMPUR: The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) is expected to make a decision on a reshuffle in the squad qualifying for the Thomas Cup 2018 this week.
BAM honorary secretary Datuk Ng Chin Chai said he would discuss with the men's singles head coach Datuk Misbun Sidek on the squad to the Badminton Asia Team Championships in Alor Star from Feb 6-11 Feb, the qualifying tournament to the Thomas and Uber Cups.
This followed the splendid performance of two players, Leong Jun Hao and professional player, Liew Daren, who were not listed by BAM earlier, at the Thailand Masters from Jan 9 to 14 and Malaysian Masters last week.
Three players listed for the tournament were eliminated as early as the first round at the Malaysian Masters, namely Datuk Lee Chong Wei, Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin and Soong Joo Ven, while Lee Zii Jia was down in the second round.
"This week I will discuss with Misbun, to review the composition of the men's singles as mentioned during the team's preparation meeting two days ago. There is a possibility players outside BAM are listed but we have to respect the decision of the coaches because they are the technical experts.
"If it is not done in time for the Asia championships, then for the Thomas Cup (from May 20 to 27) ... for example Daren, as he will be playing in the Indian Masters (from Jan 30 to Feb 4) and according to initial plans, we would be heading for Alor Star on Feb 2, but we are still open," he told reporters after a working committee meeting at the National Sports Council (NSC) here today.
In addition to the men's singles, he did not rule out a change in the women's squad due to injury problems and the decision would be made after the medical report is received on Wednesday.
On the new rules of the Badminton World Federation (BWF), which required the top 15 players to compete in at least 12 major tournaments in a year, Chin Chai said he had discussed the matter with BWF besides sending a letter earlier.
"We are discussing with BWF that we are athlete-centred, most important is the focus on athlete's performance, but there is no decision yet. I also held talks with China, South Korea and Indonesia and they agree verbally," he said.
National badminton player, Chong Wei who is ranked second in the world, had said he was more than willing to pay a fine to BWF, than to injure himself in so many tournaments, especially when his service was still needed for the Commonwealth Games in April, Thomas Cup (May ) and Asian Games (Aug). — Bernama