Heading for greater glory

CONGRATULATIONS to our men’s team for having sealed a ticket for the Thomas Cup Finals, to be held in Wuhan, China in May this year.

As Malaysians, let’s spur our team on to even greater endeavour as they seek to win the Thomas Cup for the sixth time in the history of the tournament.

Clearly, though, there is a need for our players to hone their skills, endurance and consistency if they are to overcome powerhouses Indonesia and China, the winner on the last four successive occasions.

Malaysia last won the Thomas Cup exactly 20 years ago in 1992, when we best Indonesia 3-2. We have also been the runner-up on eight occasions, the most by any country.

Much will depend on our World No. 1, Lee Chong Wei and our doubles pairs, all of whom have to be at their very best to give us the edge.

Chong Wei, of course, will have his hands full with a punishing schedule of events.

Prior to the Thomas Cup finals in May will be the All-England  Championships in March, at which Chong Wei has a very good chance of being only the fourth person in All-England history, since its revival in 1947, to retain the men’s singles crown on three successive occasions, emulating our own great, Wong Peng Soon, who won the title from 1950-52.

And, later will be the London Olympics, in July-August, where all our hopes are on Chong Wei to give us our very first Gold medal in Olympic history.

Let’s not forget our women’s Uber Cup team. Though not as successful in the recent Macau qualifiers, they have certainly gained from the experience and we hope that with improved performance in the future we can count on them as well to bring us even more honours.


RUEBEN DUDLEY
PETALING JAYA