DON’T BE ON YOUR OWN
Chong Wei asks Zulfadli to join national training for Thomas Cup
REPORTS BY HELMI TALKAH helmi.talkah@nstp.com.my
LEE Chong Wei feels that professional player Zulfadli Zulkifli should train with the national squad if he wants to play for Malaysia at the Asia Team Championship in Alor Star in February, which is also the qualifying round for the 2018 Thomas Cup.
While admitting that Zulfadli’s level of play is almost the same as that of the national players, Chong Wei feels that the former world junior champion’s fitness level is still not good enough.
“I have discussed this matter with national men’s singles head coach Misbun Sidek. I feel that if Zulfadli wants to represent the country in the championship, he needs to take part in training with the national team.
“But there is no guarantee that he will get a spot. In fact, he will have to go through the selection process, just like everyone else.
“We need to be fair to all the players. We need to see if he can or cannot follow the national team’s training schedule and regime. We cannot select just about any player, especially when it involves players outside of the national squad because this is of national interest.
“I think BAM and the coaches would be more than willing to welcome Zulfadli to train with the national squad. If he really wants to play in the Thomas Cup, then he will need to prove that he can follow all our training programmes and we would also like to see for ourselves just how good he is.
“Out there as a professional, he does not have enough training and sparring partners, whereas at BAM it’s all there.”
Chong Wei, a three-time Olympic Games silver medallist, said he is not trying to force Zulfadli to join BAM permanently, but just for the qualifying round of the Thomas Cup which is in the best interest of the country.
With Chong Wei and second singles Lee Zii Jia almost certain to be named in the national squad, competition is heating up for the third and fourth singles spots on the team.
Zulfadli will need to compete with BAM singles shuttlers Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin, Soong Joo Ven, Leong Jun Hao and Lim Chi Wing for a place in the national squad.
Based on ranking, World No 44 Zulfadli is the country’s third best singles player behind Chong Wei (2) and Zii Jia (42).
However, Chong Wei explained that the selection will not necessarily be based on ranking because the most important factor is whether the player has what it takes to fight for the team.
“This is a team championship and it is very important for us to select players who have a strong fighting spirit. I am sure the coaches will make the best decision with regard to who deserves to be on the team,” said Chong Wei, who helped Malaysia emerge as runners-up in the Thomas Cup three years ago in New Delhi, India.