KUALA LUMPUR: The BA of Malaysia (BAM) have been urged to start a new player development programme to help end Malaysia's title drought in the Thomas Cup.
Badminton great Datuk James Selvaraj said Malaysia has already gone too long without winning the Thomas Cup.
Malaysia last won the Thomas Cup in 1992 after previously winning it 25 years before in 1967.
James suggested that BAM should scout for more talent from extra-urban areas to create a more balanced squad in both the singles and doubles categories.
"We have to develop players, perhaps conduct a development programme over the next few years which will allow us to have a group of players who can perform well in future editions of the Thomas Cup," said James when contacted today.
"We do not know whether Ng Tze Yong can continue to play due to his back injury.
"This is not a minor injury. We have to find players capable of helping the squad do well in the future."
Malaysia's 32-year wait to win the Thomas Cup continues as the national team succumbed to a 3-1 defeat to hosts China in the semi-finals yesterday.
James said he was in general satisfied with the players performances though believes that the outcome could have been different if Lee Zii Jia was able to deliver the opening point.
"What was expected from Zii Jia did not materialise. We expected that he would be able to win the first point for us," said James.
"When he lost our rhythm also changed.
"Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik played well and that allowed them to win.
"Overall, the players played well but were not outstanding. There is a lot of pressure competing in the Thomas Cup.
"I was relieved to see Justin Hoh and Leong Jun Hao playing well as initially they were expected to lose badly.
"This was a good learning experience for them." he said.