KUALA LUMPUR: National doubles coaching director Rexy Mainaky has called for early preparations if Malaysia are to win the Thomas Cup in Horsens, Denmark, in April next year.
A discussion with BAM performance committee chairman Datuk Seri Lee Chong Wei will be held soon to draft a comprehensive plan for the prestigious team event.
“We cannot wait until one or two months before the Thomas Cup to begin preparations if we want to mount a strong challenge,” said Rexy.
“Since Datuk Seri Lee (Chong Wei) was appointed as the performance committee chairman, we have decided that the planning must start now.
“We will be holding a meeting with all the coaches in November, and by January, all players can start training with the 2026 Thomas Cup in mind.”
BAM president Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz had announced an ambitious goal to win the 2026 Thomas Cup.
While BAM has named a strong team for the SEA Games in Thailand in December, Rexy felt that the regional event cannot be used as a yardstick to test the squad’s strength.
“We can’t compare the SEA Games to the quality and intensity of competition of the Thomas Cup. But it (SEA Games) can be used to build team spirit,” he added.
BAM has included world No. 2 Aaron Chia–Soh Wooi Yik and world No. 5 Man Wei Chong–Tee Kai Wun, as well as men’s singles world No. 22 Leong Jun Hao and 36th-ranked Justin Hoh for the SEA Games.
In addition, the national body is also expected to consider including independent players like world No. 66 Lee Zii Jia, world No. 45 Aidil Sholeh Ali Sadikin, and men’s doubles world No. 4 Goh Sze Fei–Nur Izzuddin Rumsani to strengthen Malaysia’s Thomas Cup challenge.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
