Zii Jia heads Thomas Cup squad, Haikal surprise inclusion

Source: The Star

PETALING JAYA: Professional singles shuttler Lee Zii Jia will get a compensation to play for Malaysia in the Thomas Cup Finals.

Zii Jia is one of the five men's singles named for the Finals by the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) on Friday. The others for the Finals from April 27-May 5 in Chengdu, China are Ng Tze Yong, Leong Jun Hao, Cheam June Wei and Justin Hoh.

There was a surprise in the men's doubles line-up as the BA of Malaysia named Mohd Haikal Nazri. He will join former world champions Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik and Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani.

Sze Fei-Izzuddin did well to dump the reigning world champions Kang Min-hyuk-Seo Seung-jae in the first round of the ongoing Asian Championships in Ningbo, China.

Viktor-sponsored Zii Jia's team had been in negotiation with BAM due to sponsorship issue but all that has been resolved.

Said BAM's Michelle Chai: "We have decided to compensate Zii Jia because he will have to wear the national team jersey during the Finals."

Meanwhile, national coaching director Rexy Mainkay said it was the best team.

"We have been closely monitoring the players during training in recent months. After evaluating their condition and form, the coaching team have finalised the squad.

"I'm confident that the selected players are eager to compete in the most prestigious team event in the world.

"Our players will without doubt give their best in China. Some younger players in both the Thomas and Uber Cup Finals will be determined to prove themselves and deliver strong performances," said Rexy.

The women's team will be led by professional shuttler Goh Jin Wei.

Jin Wei will be the most experienced shuttler in the absence of top women pair Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah.

The BA of Malaysia decided to give Pearly-Thinaah the break, so that they can focus on the Olympic Games in Paris.

Singles: Lee Zii Jia, Ng Tze Yong, Leong Jun Hao, Cheam June Wei, Justin Hoh

Doubles: Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani, Mohd Haikal Nazri

UBER CUP

Singles: Goh Jin Wei, K. Letshanaa, Wong Ling Ching, Siti Nurshuhaini Azman, Siti Zulaika Azmi