KUALA LUMPUR: National men’s singles head coach, Datuk Misbun Sidek admits that players chosen to feature for the qualifying round of the 2018 Thomas Cup in Alor Star, Kedah come February are those who are more than able to shoulder the responsibility and task at hand.
According to him, what’s most important now is preparing such players who are sharp and there is a possibility there will be a mix of both senior and young players.
"Imagine it’s all already in place, this is because we already know who the players are that are dependable and can be relied on for this important task. So after this I will be handing in the list of names to BA of Malaysia (BAM) president Datuk Seri Mohamad Norza Zakaria,” said the legendary former men’s singles champion.
He added that after the list of names has been handed to Norza, it will then go to the Coaching and Training (C&T) Committee meeting for deliberation.
Based on the latest information, the national body are scheduled to carry out their first C&T meeting for 2018 the week after next on Thursday (January 4) and it is expected that the final list of players names for the qualifying round of the Thomas and Uber Cups will be discussed.
"This is the picture (a mix of senior and young players), that we want our best, most formidable players for such an important task,” said Misbun.
The Asia Team Badminton Championship which has been made as the qualifying round for the Thomas and Uber Cups will take place from February 6 to 11 in Alor Setar, Kedah.
When asked about the change in the coaching structure, Misbun admitted that the matter is not a certainty yet and for the time being they are following the current set-up that is already in place.
"We hope for the better, something positive from the men’s singles squad. Whatever the circumstances, we want to unearth players who are as great as Lee Chong Wei. It is a drastic need and one that is difficult to say the least, but our country has from time to time been able to produce great players, which involved using foreign coaching expertise along the way.
"Our platform needs to be strengthened and bolstered with the current crop of players that we have. As the head coach I will be studying, researching and analyzing what we’ve been through and learn what we can. I am here once again to strengthen and improve our men’s singles squad,” stressed Misbun.