CALL TO COME GOOD

BAM president wants national players to prove their worth at Asia Team Championships

FABIAN PETER fabian.mark@nst.com.my up the numbers. We must play the best we can.

“The tournament also serves as the qualifier for the Thomas and Uber Cup in Thailand, and if you look at our team’s performance this year especially at the Sea Games last month, I think our women’s team have a good chance to shine as well,” said Norza yesterday after the signing ceremony at the Sime Darby Convention Centre in Bukit Kiara.

The four teams that reach the semi-finals in both the men’s and women’s team event will qualify on merit for the Thomas and Uber Cup.

At the inaugural team championships in Hyderabad last year, Malaysia failed to reach the last four stage. They, however, qualified for the Thomas and Uber Cup in Kunshan, China, based on world ranking at the eleventh hour.

This time around, host Thailand are already guaranteed a spot, while Denmark and China are also in as defending champions in the Thomas and Uber Cup respectively.

“Just yesterday, I spoke to all four head coaches (Misbun Sidek, Cheah Soon Kit, Tey Seu Bock and Wong Pei Tty) as there is no mixed doubles involved.

“I made it clear that they will have to work together from now. Preparation starts now if we want to come good in February.

“Our goal is to deliver the best result at the Thomas and Uber Cup, so we have to make the qualifiers a good one,” added Norza.

The last time Malaysia won the Thomas Cup was in 1992.

PIC BY ASYRAF HAMZAH BAM president Datuk Seri Norza Zakaria (centre) witnesses the exchange of document between president of Badminton Asia Anton Aditya Subowo (right) and president of BA of Kedah Datuk Teoh Teng Chor yesterday.