It’s time for others to take over mantle, says Choong Hann

Malaysia's Koo Kien Keat (Left) and Tan Boon Heong
File pix by S.S Kanesan/TheStar

By Starsport

MALAYSIA needs to pay more attention to grooming the next generation of singles players to take over from the old guards for the Thomas Cup 2010 campaign.

Malaysia’s skipper Wong Choong Hann said that the time had come for him and third singles player Mohd Hafiz Hashim to let the youngsters take over.

The veteran of six Thomas Cup campaigns admitted that Hafiz and him are past their prime and face difficulties in keeping up with some of the younger players in the world, especially the Chinese.

Choong Hann and Hafiz both lost their singles matches to Bao Chunlai and Chen Jin respectively in the 2-3 semi-final defeat to China on Friday.

Malaysia’s top singles player Lee Chong Wei defeated world number one Lin Dan for Malaysia’s solitary point from the singles

“Malaysia have a good succession plan in the doubles. Even when Choong Tan Fook-Lee Wan Wah retire, there are several young pairs who are already good enough to step in and take over

“But unfortunately, the same cannot be said about our junior singles players. They are still not able to compete at the highest level and need a lot of catching up to do. As I would not be around for the next Thomas Cup, the BAM (Badminton Association of Malaysia) need to work fast within the next two years to groom the young talents,” said Choong Hann yesterday.

Among the current batch of national back-up players currently under Rashid Sidek’s charge, Choong Hann picks Thomas Cup reserve Mohd Arif Abdul Latif, national championships runner-up Tan Chun Seang and Chong Wei Feng, who defeated Chen Jin at last month’s Indian Open, as his three likeliest candidates to make it to the senior squad.

Despite being disappointed at Malaysia’s exit in Jakarta, Choong Hann is now looking forward to playing at the Beijing Olympics in August.

Said Choong Hann: “Although I am sad at not being able to leave the Thomas Cup scene with a winners medal, I am proud of this team’s fighting spirit and commitment.

“Our performance in the Thomas Cup proved that the Malaysian players would be among the leading contenders for medals in Beijing.”

Choong Hann and Chong Wei are the two Malaysian men’s singles players who have qualified for the Olympics.