BAM hopes Thomas Cup squad will bond after central training camp – Badminton News
Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) organised a joint training camp in China for its Thomas Cup squad and the national body is hoping that camp will bring the team together to fetch best results in prestigious team event, starting in Wuhan from May 20-27.
National squad comprises of World Number one Lee Chong Wei, Daren Liew and Hafiz Hashim as Men’s Singles campaigner with prime couples Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong and Goh V Shem-Lim Khim Wah joining as Men’s Doubles teams.
The Malaysian shuttlers are training in Bukit Kiara and BAM President Datuk Seri Nadzmi Mohd Salleh thinks that these players will form special affinity as they realise their responsibility of escorting the country to glory in the esteemed team event.
Nadzmi said, “The players have known each other for a long time and there should not be any problems in building camaraderie. The players know that they have to perform.”
Meanwhile, there was lack of excitement and enthusiasm among national shuttlers in training camp at Juara stadium as they kept on working separately.
Both coaches, Rashid and Kim Her, did not mingle the squad and followed their routine by supervising the boys in distant corners.
However, Chairman of coaching and training committee Ng Chin Chai defended national coaches by telling that it has been done deliberately.
He also added that they will start joint training sessions in Guangzhou which definitely will transform them into a strong team.
Chin Chai said, "They do train together but due to technical reasons, the singles and doubles go through their routines separately. I believe Guangzhou will help improve teamwork as they will train, eat and go through activities together."
Moreover, he declared that several back-to-back tournaments must have affected fitness level of shuttlers which ultimately resulted in less fervour in the nets.
However, Chin Chai believes that couple of good practice sessions in Guangzhou, China will gear them up to race for the glory.
The central training camp will start from May 13 as the national team is leaving for China on Sunday.
Malaysia has set a realistic target to reach at least in the semi-finals of Thomas Cup and they will start their marathon against South Africa on May 21, 2012.
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