KUALA LUMPUR: The national badminton squad are hoping for a special touch from Datuk Ng Chin Chai, the team manager for the Thomas Cup in Bangkok on May 20-27.
This is because his credibility as team manager has been proven before, especially at the last two Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro (2016) and London (2012).
At the London Games, Malaysia won one silver medal, while in Rio, the team delivered three silver.
It is understood that Chin Chai, who is also BA of Malaysia’s (BAM) secretary, has got a very good working relationship with both coaches and players, and is always seen as the middle person between them and the higher management.
His appointment as team manager is therefore expected to motivate the team as they look to end their long wait for the title since their victory in 1992.
"This is the first time I have been appointed team manager for the Thomas Cup. I had only fulfilled this role at the last two Olympics. I sure hope my touch would bring them similar luck this time.
"Based on rankings, we are only expected to go as far as the quarter-finals, but we have seen in the last two editions, where our players rose to the occasion and performed better.
"I want the players to push hard, I know they can because they have done it before. If we can outdo ourselves, I don't see why we can't be champions," said Chin Chai on Friday.
Chin Chai also confirmed that the national team will begin their centralised training at the Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM) on May 1-15 before leaving for Bangkok on May 17.
For the Thomas Cup this year, Malaysia are in Group D with defending champions Denmark, Russia and Algeria.