Tan Boon Heong has been left out of the Thomas Cup Finals squad in spite of his experience and readiness to don national colours for the meet to be held in Bangkok from May 20-27.
 
The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) announced a shocking lineup in their quest to make the semi-finals at the Impact Arena in Bangkok – the venue for the Thomas Cup and Uber Cup Finals.
 
BAM president Datuk Seri Norza Zakaria,  revealed that Celcom Axiata Malaysia International Challenge runners-up Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik as the second men’s doubles pair.
 
Also dumped from the team to Bangkok is Ong Yew Sin although his partner Teo Ee Yi is in the team. The BAM supremo, instead, named Mohd Arif Latif, a former singles player, as the doubles man.
 
Malaysia’s doubles charge will be led by former world No 1 Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong, currently ranked No 16.
 
Apart from Boon Heong, others “axed” were seasoned and experienced doubles player like Chan Peng Soon while the young and promising pair of Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rusmani were also ignored.
 
While naming the surprise team, Norza described it as “brave decision and best team with hunger” for Malaysia’s challenge in Bangkok.
 
Norza, who is also BAM’s coaching and training committee chairman, added that the selection of the team is “based on current performances” of the players and to give the juniors the opportunity to bring in the desired results.
 
“The personality, character plus hunger” of the players were also taken into consideration in naming the team after consultations with their coaches,” said Norza at Academy Badminton Asia on Thursday.
 
Former world No 1 Lee Chong Wei, Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin, Lee Zii Jia and Asian Junior champion Leong Jun Hao are the singles players. 

Malaysia are drawn in Group D for the Thomas Cup Finals together with defending champions Denmark, Russia and Algeria. 
 
Meanwhile, there were no surprises in the women’s team for the Uber Cup Finals.
 
The singles players are Soniia Cheah, Goh Jin Wei, Lee Ying Ying and S. Kisona. The doubles players are Vivian Hoo, GohYea Ching, Chow Mei, Lee Meng Yean, Soong Fie Cho, Tee Jing Yee.
 
The target for the Uber Cup team is quarter-finals.
 
In the Uber Cup Finals the Malaysians have China, Indonesia and France for company in Group D. – BY RIZAL ABDULLAH
 
THIOMAS CUP TEAM
 
(Singles): Lee Chong Wei, Lee Zii Jia, Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin. Leong Jun Hao.
 
(Doubles): Goh V Shen, Tan Wee Kiong, Aaron Chia, Soh Wooi Yik, Teo Ee Yi, Arif Latif.
 
UBER CUP TEAM
(Singles): Soniia Cheah, Goh Jin Wei, Lee Ying Ying, S. Kisona.
 
(Doubles): Vivian Hoo, Goh Yea Ching, Chow Mei Kuan, Lee Meng Yean, Soong Fie Cho, Tee Jing Yi
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