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)