Chong Wei's Absence In Men's Singles Main Draw An Eye Sore For Local Fans

KUALA LUMPUR, March 31 (Bernama) -- Just like in the All England Open badminton championships recently, the national badminton squad once again will be without a candidate in the men's singles main draw at the Malaysian Open Super Series which kicks off Tuesday. It is awkward, but a reality to note that there would be no men's singles player in the main draw in our very own tournament after champion Lee Chong Wei was temporarily suspended by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) following a failed doping test at the Denmark World Championships in August last year. Without a Malaysian representative, the Premier Super Series tournament is likely to be dominated by players like Lin Dan and Chen Long of China, as well as Jan O Jorgensen of Denmark. For the nation's badminton squad, uphill tasks await three players under the auspices of the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) and three independent players, who would be looking to book a slot in the main draw at the Stadium Putra, Bukit Jalil. Chong Wei Feng, Liew Daren and Goh Soon Huat must overcome their opponents in the in the qualifying round before filling the slots for the main draw, and the same goes for former world junior champion Zulfadli Zulkifli, Mohamad Arif Abdul Latiff and Chiang Jiann Shiarng who will all be contesting on their own. Zulfadli, 21, would like to see not only himself, but also his other compatriots enter the main draw, although he is aware that it would be difficult. "It is impossible for all to advance to the main draw as Daren will meet Arif in the second qualifying round. But I really hope that they will perform well," he said. Zulfadli will kick off his qualifying round against Sattawat Pongnairat from the United States while Daren will take on Dionysius Hayom Rumbaka of Indonesia, Goh Soon Huat faces Fikri Ihsandi Hadmadi (Indonesia), followed by Chong Wei Feng against Emil Holst and Mohamad Arif against compatriot Chiang. -- BERNAMA