KUALA LUMPUR: As one of the seniors in the squad, mixed doubles player Tan Kian Meng is ready to shoulder the responsibility as Malaysia team captain at the Sudirman Cup in Suzhou, China, next week.
While expressing his gratitude to the Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM) for believing in him, Kian Meng, who makes up the world No 16 pairing with his partner Lai Pei Jing, said it was crucial for everyone to put aside differences and come together as a team.
According to Kian Meng, there is no such thing as a national or independent player once everyone puts on the Malaysian jersey in a team event.
"Firstly, I would like to thank ABM, the coaches and the management for trusting me to be the team captain. I am indeed proud and happy.
"As a senior, and as team captain, it is my responsibility to do everything I can to help my teammates.
"Apart from keeping team spirit at a high, it is also my responsibility to be the middle person between the players and the coach."
Malaysia, seeded fourth, are in Group C alongside Taiwan, India, and Australia.
On paper, Taiwan and India are the biggest threats, as only the top two teams from the group will qualify for the knockout stage.
When asked if he was okay to sit out any matches if required, Kian Meng said: "It doesn't matter who plays or who doesn't. We support as a team.
"Surely, our current form matters, but I believe in my teammates.
"I don't want them to play under pressure, just go out there and do your best.
"If you lose a match, have faith that your teammates are there to pick up after you.
"Once we go into a team event, there are no differences, we're all Malaysians."
Apart from Kian Meng-Pei Jing, the other three mixed doubles in the squad are Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai, Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei, and Hoo Pang Ron-Teoh Mei Xing.
ABM has set a semi-final target for the squad.