Malaysia sustains national ranking in Thomas Cup

Malaysia sustains national ranking in Thomas Cup

JAKARTA (JP): Malaysia is going to stick to its national
rankings instead of the rankings issued by the International
Badminton Federation (IBF) when it sets its team's lineup for the
upcoming Thomas Cup finals here.

Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) secretary, Punch
Gunalan, said yesterday that Rashid Sidek, Ong Ewe Hock and Foo
Kok Keong would play first, second and third singles respectively
in the May 10-21 event.

Asian champion Foo, whose world ranking of 11 outclasses those
of his teammates, should be the first singles player, followed by
Rashid and Ong.

Gunalan, however, said Malaysia was willing to discuss the
dispute over the team's lineup during an IBF meeting. He added
that Malaysia would bow to any decision declared by the
international badminton body. IBF has issued list of shuttlers
eligible for the finals, but has yet to come to the final word
over the dispute.

Malaysia also named Cheah Soon Kit, Soo Beng Kiang, Rashid's
elder brothers Razif and Jalani, Tan Kim Her and Yap Kim Hock to
form the doubles teams.

BAM president Abdullah Fadzil Che Wan said fielding six
doubles specialists was a part of Malaysia's strategy to retain
its title. Usually a team registers five doubles and four singles
for the finals.

Malaysia recaptured the symbol of men's-team badminton
supremacy for the first time in 25 years by nipping the
Indonesian, Ardy Wiranata-led squad 3-2 at Stadium Negara, Kuala
Lumpur.

Gunalan also indicated that his side would bank on the team
work which had led them to triumph two years ago in their title
defense attempts next week.

"Indonesia is undoubtedly the strongest team on paper, having
the world's three best singles and two pairs," Gunalan was quoted
by Antara news agency as saying. "But remember that a team event
is completely different from an individual event," he added.

Former Malaysian Thomas Cup hero Gunalan, referring to
veterans Foo, Razif and Jalani, admitted some of his players had
suffered setbacks in performance due to their age.

"We have no other choices but fielding aging shuttlers in the
finals," said Gunalan, using a weak regeneration system as the
scapegoat for Malaysia's declining prowess.

Gunalan was also curious to know whether Indonesian crowds
would wreak havoc on his squad's title defense attempt. The
fanatic home fans cost host Indonesia an upset defeat to Malaysia
in 1967.

In '67, an IBF honorary referee Hubert Scheele interrupted the
Thomas Cup finals because of the raging crowds and ruled a
resumption of the matches in a neutral country. IBF declared
Malaysia the champion after Indonesia opted not to abide by IBF
ruling.

The committee chairman of this year's finals, Titus Kurniadi,
had earlier warned Indonesian fans not to overact during the 11-
day competition. "Furious crowds may lead IBF honorary referees
to either put a stop to a match or disqualify a team," Titus
said.

The organizers have allotted approximately 100 of the 7,500
seats in the Senayan indoor stadium for Malaysian supporters each
day during the Thomas Cup and Uber Cup finals.

Teams from Denmark, considered to be Indonesia's real menace
in Thomas Cup, Japan and China will be the first contingents to
arrive. All the players and officials of the participating teams
will be billeted at Jakarta Hilton International hotel during
their stay here. (amd)