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Khairy Wants To Set Realistic Target For Thomas Cup


KUALA LUMPUR, April 29 (Bernama) -- Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin wants to adopt a realistic approach when setting the target for the 2014 Thomas and Uber Cup finals in New Delhi, India, next month.

Khairy said both the Thomas and Uber Cup teams would be facing tough competition in the finals, scheduled from May 18 to 25, in New Delhi.

"We understand the situation well as the country's shuttlers will be facing tough opposition from the best teams in the world. I do not want to set a lofty target for the time being," he said after launching the 'Malaysia Purple League' a professional badminton league at the Sentosa Sports Arena, here Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Badminton Association of Malaysia's (BAM) Deputy President Datuk Mohamad Norza Zakaria said the association would be responsible to send a balanced team to compete in the Thomas Cup.

"Our hope is to see the team qualify for the semifinals stage because the expectations of the fans are high. We will take one step at a time. The first task will be to win the group," he said.

Speaking of the final slot for the men's singles which has yet to be decided, Mohamad Norza said the status of Goh Soon Huat has not been confirmed although he had earned himself a shot at a place in the team.

For the record, Soon Huat had crossed the first test and second test in trials by beating Tan Chun Seang and Mohd Arif Latif, respectively.

"We will evaluate the players from every aspect and take into account their current performance, fitness and achievement plus a fitness report from the National Sports Institute.

"However, world number one Datuk Lee Chong Wei has chosen Misbun Ramdan Misbun ahead of Goh Soon Huat despite the former losing to the latter in the final selection match today," he said.

Soon Huat beat Misbun Ramdan 21-19, 21-15, today.

-- BERNAMA

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