BAM To Monitor Swine Flu Daily Before Sudirman Cup Trip

KUALA LUMPUR, April 29 (Bernama) -- The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) will monitor the outbreak of swine influenza with the help of local health authorities before deciding whether to send national shuttlers to the Sudirman Cup in Guangzhou, China from May 10-17.

BAM General Manager Kenny Goh said it was a proactive step to monitor the situation by seeking advice from health-related local authorities.

"The well-being and health of all the players are our utmost concern. We do not compromise on any health threats to our players while competing outside this country," he told Bernama when contacted here today.

Asked if the withdrawing would unavoidable if the prevailing outbreak worsened, Kenny said the final decision will depend on the Badminton World Federation (BWF) as organizers of the Sudirman Cup.

For the Sudirman Cup which is the world mixed team championship, the Malaysian team will comprise of Datuk Lee Chong Wei, Wong Mew Choo, Koo Kien Keat/Tan Boon Heong and Wong Pei Tty/Chin Eei Hui.

Apart from the main list, the reserves list is made up of Tan Chun Seang, Muhammad Hafiz Hashim, Kuan Beng Hong (men's singles), Julia Wong (women's singles), Zakry Latif/Fairuzizuan Tazari (men's doubles) and Vivian Hoo (women's singles).

The Malaysian squad are drawn together with defending champion China, South Korea, Denmark, England, Indonesia, Japan and Hong Kong in Division One, in the tournament that will see 34 teams competing for the title.

In the 2007 edition held in Glasgow, Scotland, Malaysia finished sixth.

Meanwhile, according to World Health Organisation and US-based Centers For Disease and Prevention (CDC) websites, Mexico, the epicenter of the outbreak has recorded 159 deaths with seven cases yet to be confirmed as swine flu.

The United States has the largest number of confirmed cases with 64, Canada 13, New Zealand (3), England, Spain, Israel and Germany one each.

Suspected cases were also reported in Brazil, Guatemala, Peru, Australia, South Korea and seven Europe countries.

-- BERNAMA

Danish surprise for Sudirman Cup

Jumat, 24-April-2009, 22:31:13
KUALA LUMPUR: There was a surprise in the seedings yesterday when Denmark were handed the top billing for the Sudirman Cup, which will be held in Guangzhou from May 10-17.

Three countries — Indonesia, China and Malaysia — are ranked behind the Danes in Division One.

Despite the third seeding, defending champions China, spearheaded by Lin Dan, are expected to emerge tops again.

If Malaysia, led by Lee Chong Wei, can live up to their fourth seeding, it will be the first time they will make a semi-final appearance in the biennial event. Malaysia’s best result was a sixth placing.

The others in the Malaysian squad are Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boong Heong, Wong Mew Choo, Chin Eei Hui-Wong Pei Tty and Ng Hui Lin.

The draw for the event will be held tomorrow.

The seedings

Division One:
1. Denmark,
2. Indonesia,
3. China,
4. Malaysia,
5. South Korea,
6. England,
7. Hong Kong,
8. Japan.

(Source: thestar.com.my)

Kien Keat and Boon Heong must deliver in Sudirman Cup

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s hopes of making the semi-finals for the first time in the Sudirman Cup will hinge on the performance of the men’s doubles players.

And Koo Kien Keat is determined to live up to expectations with his partner Tan Boon Heong in the world mixed team event, which will be held in Guangzhou from May 10-17.

Based on the draw released by the World Badminton Federation (BWF) yesterday, fourth seeded Malaysia are in Group A of Division One with top seeds Denmark, South Korea and Hong Kong.

In Group B are Indonesia, defending champions China, England and Japan.

The top two teams will play in the crossover semi-finals.

Malaysia’s team will comprise Lee Chong Wei, Kien Keat-Boon Heong, Wong Mew Choo, Chin Eei Hui-Wong Pei Tty and Ng Hui Lin. Three others will be named later.

Denmark and South Korea, who boasts of strong doubles combinations, could dash Malaysia’s hopes of making the top four.

Denmark could field either Lars Paaske-Jonas Rasmussen or Mathias Boe-Cartsen Morgensen while South Korea can depend on Lee Yong-dae-Shin Baek-cheol or Hwang Ji-man-Han Sang-hook.

Kien Keat, who is playing in his first tournament after winning the Swiss Open in March, hoped that the men’s doubles pair would be able to win points in every tie.

“We have a tougher draw. It will be a three-pronged challenge in the Group A. Denmark and South Korea have stronger women players,” said Kien Keat.

“The men’s doubles players will have to deliver a sure point to keep the team’s hopes alive,” said Kien Keat.

On paper, world No. 1 Lee Chong Wei should win his matches against Peter-Gade Christensen and Park Sung-hwan of Denmark and South Korea respectively.

Chong Wei, however, has to be wary of Christensen, who has a knack of beating the Malaysian when least expected.

It will be difficult for Malaysia to win the women’s doubles as both Denmark and South Korea have reliable pairs in their ranks. It will be just as tough in the mixed doubles too.

“If we lose, it will put a great pressure on the team. We have to try and win a point,” added Kien Keat.

“South Korea have been fielding many new men’s pairs of late while Denmark will be banking on their regulars.”

On paper, Malaysia’s women’s players are not expected to get the better of their group opponents, although Mew Choo and Eei Hui-Pei Tty have done well in the past.

DIVISION ONE
Group A:
Denmark,
Malaysia,
South Korea,
Hong Kong

Group B:
Indonesia,
China,
England,
Japan

(Source: thestar.com.my)