Malaysia’s bid to reclaim the Thomas Cup will be led by experienced players, with the national coaching staff placing a strong emphasis on maturity and mental strength in squad selection.
With Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) president Tengku Zafrul Aziz setting the target of winning the prestigious team championship, national doubles coach Herry Iman Pierngadi has made it clear that only battle-tested pairs will be considered for the tournament in Horsens, Denmark, from April 24 to May 3.
Herry said the pressure and intensity of the Thomas Cup require players who are able to perform consistently under difficult circumstances.
“For the Thomas Cup, we must look at players who are mature, experienced and mentally strong,” he said after a training session at the Academy Badminton Malaysia.
Malaysia last lifted the trophy in 1992, and the long wait for another title has strengthened the team’s focus on reliability rather than experimentation.
Source: The Star
Several established pairs are currently leading the race for selection, including world number two Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik, world number six Man Wei Chong and Tee Kai Wun, and world number eight Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin Rumsani.
Herry said these combinations have demonstrated consistency and resilience on the international stage.
“More or less, those are the pairs who are ready,” he said, indicating that proven performance remains the key factor in selection.
In contrast, younger pairs such as Aaron Tai and Kang Khai Xing, Arif Junaidi and Yap Roy King, and Haikal Nazri and Choong Hon Jian are still viewed as players in development and are unlikely to be included this time.
Herry noted that team composition limits opportunities for experimentation.
“In one team, we can only have three pairs, so we must choose carefully,” he said.
With limited places available, the focus is on players who can contribute immediately and handle the pressure of a major team competition.
While management has set ambitious goals, Herry stressed that his priority is to ensure the squad is fully prepared and built around the most dependable players as Malaysia seeks to end its long wait for another Thomas Cup triumph.
