BAM GET REALISTIC
Will reassess Frost’s Thomas Cup target
THE BA of Malaysia (BAM) want to set a realistic target for next year’s Thomas Cup in Thailand. BAM president Datuk Seri Norza Zakaria said the association need to reassess the target by their former technical director Morten Frost to see whether it corresponds with the current strength of the national men’s team.
“Frost’s target was based on the strength of our men’s doubles pairing of Goh V Shem and Tan Wee Kiong who were then World No 1.
“But they have since split and have different partners now. So we need to analyse our current strength before coming up with a target.
“I have informed national singles coach Misbun Sidek and doubles trainer Cheah Soon Kit to name three shuttlers and two pairs for the Thomas Cup,” said Norza yesterday.
Frost set a target for the men’s team to win the Thomas Cup next year under his blueprint which was endorsed by BAM. The Dane resigned in September.
Norza added that the national coaches must start preparing players for the Thomas Cup (May 20-27, next year) by next month.
Meanwhile mixed doubles Chan Peng Soon-Cheah Yee See recorded a 21-13, 21-14 win over Indonesia's Yantoni Edy Saputra-Marsheilla Gisca Islami in the first round of the Macau Open.
They will play Malaysia's Arif Abdul Latif and Indonesia's Rusydina Antardayu Riodingin tomorrow. Others who made the second round were Hoo Pang Ron-Peck Yen Wei (mixed doubles) and Ho Yen Mei (women’s singles), while Chong Wei Feng reached the men’s singles third round.