KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian badminton team have been urged to give a stirring show in the Thomas Cup, one that will get the nation united in roaring for them following the 14th General Election.
This is the call of BAM president Datuk Seri Mohamad Norza Zakaria as Lee Chong Wei and his men prepare for the Thomas Cup finals which start on Sunday in Bangkok.
Norza said Malaysians from across the nation will focus on the national shuttlers during the seven-day competition in Bangkok
“Following the 14th general election, Malaysians will surely turn to the Thomas Cup which begins on Sunday,” said Norza.
“'The Thomas Cup to Malaysians is unlike to other nations as Malaysians will unite to support the national team.”
“We last won the Thomas Cup in 1992. We have been trying to win it in the last 26 years.
"Almost 10 years ago, we came close to winning the Thomas Cup. In 2014, we reached the final in New Delhi but lost 3-2 to Japan.
“Now we have the chance to end this long wait for the Thomas Cup title.
“This is a chance for our players to become legends and stand out above others,” added Norza.
The Malaysian team comprise Lee Chong Wei, Lee Zii Jia, Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin, Leong Jun Hao, Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong, Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik and Teo Ee Yi-Mohd Arif Latif.
Norza, confident of a good showing from his side in Bangkok, said: “If we look at 2014, nobody put high hopes on the Malaysian team but they went to the final.
“This is almost the same situation. BAM’s target is the semi-final but it is not impossible to go further. With great fighting spirit, the team can go far.”
