It’s only natural that badminton is Thomas’ Cup of tea

PETALING JAYA: It wasn’t hard for junior shuttler Ng Zi Xuan to pick an English name when he was five years old.

His penchant for Thomas the Tank Engine and having a grandfather who was a Thomas Cupperleft him with only one choice – Thomas.

With that fitting name, the 15-year-old is highly motivated to become a successful badminton player – just like his grandfather Datuk Billy Ng and aunt Sylvia Ng.

Currently based in Melbourne, Thomas is even willing to uproot himself for a chance to join the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) training programme.

The BAM are in search for new talents to replace their old stars – especially after the quarter-final defeat of the Thomas Cup squad in Bangkok, Thailand, recently.

“Badminton is quite big in my family. I know my grandfather has won the Thomas Cup, my aunt has done well in the past and my father (Dennis Ng) loves the game.

“But my interest to take it up seriously only started five years ago. Before that, I used to play for fun with my dad and grandpa,” said Thomas.

Thomas joined the Maribyrnong Sports Academy in Melbourne in 2013 and started to win junior titles last year.

He took part in junior tournaments in

If I get a chance to train in Malaysia, I’ll surely take up the offer and opportunity. Thomas Ng Zi Xuan

Singapore last November and also spent two months in Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) under a school exchange programme.

“I had a chance to train with the BJSS badminton students and I enjoyed it. The training programme is tougher,” said the Maribyrnong College student.

“I want to balance studies and sport. If I get a chance to train in Malaysia, I’ll surely take up the offer and opportunity,” he added.

His father Dennis, who is a business development manager of oil and gas with a European company in Melbourne, said: “I’m open to the idea of my son returning to Malaysia to pursue his interest in a much loved sport that runs in the family.”

“My dad Billy and aunt Sylvia are towering models that my son Thomas would like to emulate.”