Men and women squads pledge to do their best in Jakarta

PUTRAJAYA: Bring back the Thomas Cup, says Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, wife of Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

“Play your best, stay focused and don???t let minor distractions affect your game,” she said.

Rosmah (pictured right) made this call when she hosted a reception for national players at her residence here who will be in Jakarta this weekend for the Thomas Cup and Uber Cup men???s and women???s team badminton championships held once every two years.

Malaysia last won the Thomas Cup 16 years ago and have never won the Uber Cup.

In 2006, Malaysia lost 2-3 to Denmark in the Thomas Cup semi-finals. The Danes in turn lost 0-3 to China in the final. In the Uber Cup, Malaysia last qualified for the final in 2004.

Also present at yesterday???s reception were BAM president Datuk Mohd Nadzmi Salleh, BAM general manager Kenny Goh Chee Keong, chief coach Yap Kim Hock, singles coach Misbun Sidek and doubles coach Rexy Mainaky.

Rosmah, who will be in Jakarta to cheer the players on, said they had pledged to play their best to bring back the prestigious Thomas Cup while the women players said they would try to wrest the Uber Cup as well.

Kim Hock, when met after the reception, said the players were raring to go after having attended a motivational camp in Port Dickson last week.

“Their team spirit is better now and they have a better understanding of their responsibilities as national players now.

“Our focus is to win this time. Although initially we set reaching the semi-finals as our target, I want the players to focus more than that and win back the Thomas Cup,” he said.

For team captain Wong Choong Hann, he described yesterday???s reception as meaningful as Rosmah, BAM???s patron, was well-versed with each player???s development.

“This showed that she takes the trouble to know what we are doing for this tournament,” he said. “Today???s meeting is also a motivation for us all.”

The team leaves for Jakarta tomorrow.

????? Bernama