Thai delight for national players

PENDING the government's approval, the national shuttlers, led by World No 10 Lee Zii Jia, may finally get a chance to compete in international tournaments.

The Thailand Open, which is the first of the Badminton World Federation's Asian leg of the revised World Tour, is scheduled on Jan 12-17 in Bangkok.

National No 1 Zii Jia is set to spearhead the Malaysian challenge based on the entry list released yesterday.

It will be significant progress for national athletes who have all been kept at home since the Covid-19 outbreak in March if the badminton players get to play in the tournament.

It will also be the first international competition for Zii Jia and the other players since the All England in March.

Other Malaysians in the main draw of the Thailand Open are Soniia Cheah (women's singles), Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong, Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi, Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani (men's doubles), Chow Mei Kuan-Lee Meng Yean, Vivian Hoo-Yap Cheng Wen and Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah (women's doubles).

There are also four mixed pairs in the fray led by Rio Olympics silver medallists Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying, Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing, Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie and Hoo Pang Ron-Cheah Yee See.

BAM secretary general Datuk Kenny Goh remains positive that the players will eventually receive approval.

"We are still waiting, and it is pending approval, although we are hopeful of positive news," said Kenny.

"The Sports Ministry and the National Sports Council (NSC) have also been helpful, and they have been looking into it.

"The Sports Minister (Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican) have also touched on having bubble tournaments, so fingers crossed everything will work out."

Meanwhile, independent shuttler Liew Daren is not quite jumping for joy yet, after finding out he is only fourth on the reserve list.

The World No 41 is, however, also making plans for the short trip to Bangkok.

"I'm definitely looking forward to the tournament, although I still do not know if I will get to play or not," admitted the 33-year-old Daren.

"There's quite a lot of documents that I need to obtain before I can get approval, although I've been doing that before the qualifying list was released.

"It is, however, trickier for me since I am only on the reserve list.

"I will need to wait until Dec 21 to know if I am actually going."

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