World Superseries Finals: Malaysia to have biggest representation in Shenzhen

Malaysia will have the biggest representation at the season finale BWF World Super Series Finals in Shenzhen, China, from Dec 12-16 – thus giving the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) a huge lift.
World No. 1 Lee Chong Wei, Liew Daren, Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong, Hoon Thien How-Tan Wee Kiong and Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying will represent Malaysia in the US$500,000 tournament.
Malaysia’s previous biggest representation was six in 2008.
BAM coaching and training chairman Ng Chin Chai said that the big number of qualifiers for the Finals was a “small and timely” breakthrough but felt that it was time for Malaysia to start winning major titles.
And he has his eyes set on the World Championships in Guangzhou in next August.
“It has been a reasonably good year for us. Of course, BAM are happy to have a huge number of qualifiers for the Super Series Finals. It is a testament of some changes that we have made so far this year,” said Chin Chai.
“We’ve been giving a lot of emphasis on sending potential players to international tournaments. The back-up players have also been given many opportunities to build the competitive edge in them.
“Things are falling into place for us. Most of our players have improved on their world rankings. The qualification of Daren and Thien How-Wee Kiong is certainly a bonus for us at the Finals.”
Daren is currently ranked 16th while Thien How-Wee Kiong are 15th in the world. Kien Keat-Boon Heong are also back at the No. 2 spot in the world while Peng Soon-Liu Ying are enjoying a career high No. 3 ranking.
Except for Chong Wei and Peng Soon-Liu Ying, the others qualified without winning any Super Series titles this year.
“Thien How-Wee Kiong are also lucky because some of the top pairs had split up and did not qualify for the Finals. It paved way for the Malaysians to move in. Still, it’s a good breakthrough for them,” said Chin Chai.
“Having a large number (of shuttlers) in the Finals is only a minor success for us. We want more players to win Super Series titles and we also want them to start winning major tournaments.”
Chin Chai said that he had thrown a challenge to his coaches and players to have the maximum qualification at next year’s world meet. The qualifying period for the world meet ends in April.
“Realistically, we can push our players to have maximum representation in four events – men’s singles and all the three doubles. We can have three representatives each if our players continue to raise their game,” said Chin Chai.
“The only problem we have right now is in the women’s singles. Except for Tee Jing Yi, it may difficult for us to get others to qualify for the world meet. Coach Wong Tat Meng is addressing the issue of lack of depth in the women’s singles.
“Ultimately, our goal is to have a player become the country’s first world champion ... we hope it’ll happen soon. This will be our target for next year.”
Courtesy of The Star