Sports

Sunday March 22, 2009

Zulfadli, Sonia may be left out of Asian and World Junior squads

By LOGANATH VELLOO

KANGAR: Young badminton stars Zulfadli Zulkifli and Sonia Cheah emerged as Malaysia’s top Under-18 shuttlers at the just concluded National Schools (MSSM) Badminton Championships 2009 in Kangar, Perlis.

But both are in danger of being left out in the cold when the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) announce the squads for this year’s Asian and World Junior Championships.

The Asian meet is an Under-19 tournament, and will be held in India in July. Malaysia are host to the world juniors, an Under-18 competition, in Alor Setar in October.

There is no doubt that Zulfadli is an exceptional young talent in badminton.

He just clinched his first Under-18 and overall sixth MSSM singles title on Friday.

But the 16-year-old’s Achilles heel is that he is not studying at the Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS), and thus does not come under the purview of the BAM’s development programme and their coaches.

The SMK Damansara Utama student is currently attached to the KLRC Bhd outfit and is coached by his father Zulkifli Sidek.

Zulfadli was overlooked by the national selectors for last year’s Asian Junior Championships in Kuala Lumpur and Asian Youth Under-16 meet in Brunei, despite earning a breakthrough success as the youngest local player (at 14 years old) to win a Division Two (Under-21) title in the 2007 local circuit.

“The national squad should consist of the best players available. Zulfadli is looking forward to be called up for both the Asian and World Junior Championships,” said his father Zulkifli.

“The decision lies with BAM, who will select the Malaysian squad for the two meets. But if he is not selected, it will not affect Zulfadli’s plans for the year.

He will still continue his focus on gaining experience in the senior scene and improve his world ranking by competing in several satellite and international series tournaments.”

Zulfadli, who has qualified for the 16-player National Grand Prix Finals men’s singles competition for two years in a row, is currently ranked 230 in the world.

For Kuala Lumpur shuttler Sonia, her headache lies in dislodging her more fancied seniors.

Players like Tee Jing Yi, Florah Ng and Ng Sin Jou were ineligible to compete at the national schools meet, but can still play in both the world and Asian competitions.

Sonia also has the higher ranked Ng Sin Er, MSSM Under-18 runners-up Yang Li Lian and fast rising Nur Hani Aziz to contend with in occupying one of the four singles spots for the two tournaments.

But the 16-year-old BJSS student is fired up to make the squad for at least one of the two meets, and try to emulate her elder sister Lydia’s feat of winning a gold medal (team event) at the 2007 Asian Junior Championships in KL.

“I have not played in an Asian or World junior meet yet. But I am looking forward to making the cut, and want to do my best for the country,” said Sonia.

“I do not know if there will be a play-off to decide who gets to play in the two competitions. If it is based on our recent performances in training and competitions,

“I have a real fight on my hands to impress the selectors.”

Last year, Malaysia tasted success in both the World and Asian junior meets through Mak Hee Chun-Teo Kok Siang’s triumphs in the boys’ doubles.

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