BAM offered Zulfadli Zulkifli

ZULKIFLI Sidek will not stand in his son, Zulfadli's way if he is asked to train with the Thomas Cup team by the BA of Malaysia (BAM).

Zulkifli used to be apprehensive when BAM offered Zulfadli the chance to join the national junior team on several occasions but he now feels that his son can  progress faster by training with the national players.

The BAM coaching and training committee (CTC), which met on Saturday, has already given approval to  KLRC Berhad's Hafiz Hashim to join the national training session beginning today. But the CTC hasn't given a clear indication on Zulfadli who is also with the same club.

It is understood that BAM officials have already had discussions with KLRC chairman Datuk Seri Andrew Kam a few days ago and he has  given permission for the national body to recruit Hafiz and Zulfadli for training if their services are needed.

"I am not going to stand in my son's way. He can join the training sessions with the Thomas Cup players and it is up to BAM to decide whether he is good enough to be selected for the team event," said Zulkifli.

"My son can progress faster if he spars with the national players and he will also get the oppotunity to train with Lee Chong Wei.

"I also want to check with Datuk Seri (Kam) to confirm if there is any official request from BAM. If there is, I will allow him to train with them."

Zulfadli, who won the Sportswriters' Association of Malaysia's (SAM) Young Athlete of the Year award yesterday, is also keen as long as he gets the greenlight from KLRC.

"I can join training if KLRC allows and if BAM wants me to train with the national players. I want to try and fight for a place in the Thomas Cup squad," said Zulfadli.

BAM deputy preasident Datuk Al Amin Majid, who has stated in the past that independent players will be given a fair chance, said a final decision will be taken during a  council meeting tomorrow.

The council will  decide whether independent players will be included for the Axiata Cup team event next month as well as Zulfadli's inclusion  for the Thomas Cup training.

"Hafiz has been invited for training as he is currently the second ranked Malaysian in the world ranking. The other matters will be discussed and finalised during the council meeting on Tuesday (tomorrow)," said Al Amin.

It is learnt that only a few members of the CTC  committee are against the proposal to allow Zulfadli to train with the  national team.

The move to allow him to train with the national players will also open the eyes of Zulfadli himself to  the benefits of training with the senior players as he is probably the best potential that Malaysia has.

BAM has "already  allowed" Hafiz without conditions while its secretary Ng Chin Chai has indirectly indicated that Zulfadli must join the national squad on a permanent basis to be considered for training. This  shows BAM is not consistent with its own practice and the council is expected to come up with a more pro-active move and allow Zulfadli to join training until the Thomas Cup Finals in Wuhan, China on may 20-29.

Read more: NST