Razif Sidek criticises BAM for dropping Zulfadli Zulkiffli from national team for Thomas Cup
Malaysia’s Razif Sidek, who is also a former national coach, severely criticises the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) for dropping Zulfadli Zulkiffli from the national team for Thomas Cup Qualifying Round, which will be held in February, in Macau.
Zulfadli, who is ruling World Junior Champion, has been showing a steady progress at international arena for the last one year.
The passionate Zulfadli was expected to be included in the national squad for Thomas Cup, but his name was missing when BAM announced the national team.
Razif said that Zulfadli should have been provided with the chance to participate in the Thomas Cup Qualifying Round, which would give him much needed exposure of handling crucial situations.
According to the coach, BAM should provide opportunities to young shuttlers to get international exposure which will help them to elevate their skills and perform well while playing against the top shuttlers from around the world.
Zulfadli, who is currently World Number Two in junior world rankings, delivered remarkable performance in the Badminton Junior World Championships 2011, where he proved his mettle and won the Men’s Singles title.
The tremendous victory of Zulfadli in the Junior World Championships indicates that he has achieved a certain level of skills and has the required potential to become a world beater in the arena of elite shuttlers.
Razif disapproved BAM’s decision by saying that Zulfadli should have given the chance to get experience by witnessing Thomas Cup which would definitely help him in becoming an elevated shuttler.
The coach said, “At least he (Zulfadli) will be able to witness in person, how difficult or tough the competition is at the Thomas Cup.”
He further added, “It does not matter whether he is from the Kuala Lumpur Racquet Club or not, BAM must still open the door to give players like Zulfadli in the near future. We must give opportunities for our best singles players so that they will be able
to compete against the best in the world later on.”
According to Razif, young shuttlers should be given chance to get as much international exposure as possible which will help them to handle pressure and become an elevated player and earn glory for the country.
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