Kuala Lumpur: The runners-up of the 2020 Badminton Asia Team Championships (BATC) – Malaysia will look to win the 2022 BATC title on home turf as the tournament is slated to kick off the Setia City Convention Centre in Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia, from February 15 to February 20.
The Malaysian team is counting on World No. 7 men’s singles player – Lee Zii Jia to give his teammates an extra boost. With most of the countries only sending their second-tier players to the tournament, Malaysia sends its best players and is considered the strongest team (based on players’ rankings) at the tournament.
Malaysia’s World No. 7 men’s doubles player – Aaron Chia said that Lee would play an important role in giving the team a head start at the tournament.
“Just like when Datuk Lee Chong Wei won his first match, it always increased the confidence of other players,” said Chia.
“I think it’s a huge advantage if we have top singles and doubles players playing in a team event,” added Chia.
“I remember Datuk was the team captain at the Thomas Cup in Bangkok. When there were senior players like him leading the way, it really boosted confidence for other players,” continued Chia.
Malaysia listed six men’s singles players led by Lee Zii Jia, Ng Tze Yong, Aidil Sholeh Ali Sadikin, Leong Jun Hao, Lim Chong King, and Kok Jing Hong at this event; while Aaron Chia/Soh Wooi Yik became the top men’s pair followed by Goh Sze Fei/Nur Izzuddin Rumsani and Man Wei Chong/Tee Kai Wun.
The Malaysian men’s squad was drawn in Group B alongside Japan, Singapore, and Kazakhstan. Only the top two teams in each group would move on to the semi-finals, thus automatically qualifying for the Thomas Cup Finals. Malaysia will start the campaign against Singapore next Wednesday.
Schedule for the Malaysian men’s and women’s teams at the 2022 BATC:
Men’s Team:
February 16 – Malaysia vs Singapore (4 pm)
February 17 – Malaysia vs Kazakhstan (4 pm)
February 18 – Malaysia vs Japan (4 pm)
Women’s Team:
February 15 – Malaysia vs India (4 pm)
February 16 – Malaysia vs Japan (4 pm)
