SEPANG, May 11 ― After the conclusion of a 10-day closed-door training stint at the Juara Stadium recently, Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) technical director Morten Frost Hansen hoped that the Malaysian squad would have a good start at the Thomas and Uber Cup matches.

The Thomas Cup and Uber Cup tournaments will be held from May 15-22 in Kunshan, China.

“I hope for a very good start. Everybody is injury free.

“Obviously, we are looking foward to it (Thomas and Uber Cup) now. We have been talking about it for a long, long time and the time has arrived at our doorstep,” said Frost when met at KL International Airport's (KLIA) departure hall before leaving for Kunshan, here today.

He noted that the 10-day closed door training stint combined various aspects and he is happy with the outcomes.

“The team (players) adapted well (with the training regime)...we did some on court training and also some physical training,” he said.

Recalling his yesteryears as a badminton player, Frost said every player coming to a competition would come with a motivation to give their best performance.

“I remember when I used to play in the Thomas Cup myself...whenever arriving in Kuala Lumpur or Jakarta or anywhere, everybody would be asking me 'What kind of training have you done, or what is your expectation?'

“I would always say that I never come to lose...so, we all come to do the best that we can,” said Frost.

Malaysia's Thomas Cup squad comprises Datuk Lee Chong Wei (skipper), Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin, Chong Wei Feng and Goh Soon Huat with doubles' pairs of Goh V Shem/Tan Wee Kiong, Kien Keat/ Boon Heong as well as Teo Ee Yi/Ong Yew Sin.

While the Uber Cup squad comprises of Goh Liu Ying (skipper), Tee Jing Yi, Goh Jin Wei, Ho Yen Mei, Sonia Cheah, Vivian Hoo/Woon Khe Wei, Chow Mei Kuan/Lee Meng Yean and Amelia Anscelly.

For the record, Malaysia emerged runner-up after losing to Japan in the 2014 Thomas Cup finals held in New Delhi, India.

The last time Malaysia won the Thomas Cup was in 1992 in Kuala Lumpur.            

The women squad have yet to win the Uber Cup. ― Bernama