First time since 1949?

You may be wondering what about the year 1949. It was the year the first Thomas Cup was held.

Since then Malaysia has never failed to qualify for any of the following editions. 2012 may be the first time.

Here's a look at the team that will play in the Finals qualifiers.

Singles
Lee Chong Wei - World No. 1
Hafiz Hashim - World No. 33
Liew Daren - World No. 50
Arif Abdul Latif - World No.52

Doubles
Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong - World No. 6
Lim Kim Wah-Goh V Shem - World No. 33
Hoon Thien How-Teo Kok Siang - scratch pair.

In the past Malaysia would be hoping to add their collection, having last won in 1992.

Never before has the question of not qualifying arose - this time it does.

In fact even BA of Malaysia is cautious.

There seems to be trouble in paradise and BAM are praying Malaysia will not end up in the cut-throat playoff in the qualifiers as carried by The Star.

Meanwhile Hafiz Hashim hopes the rocky road ahead will only spur the shuttlers to scoring an upset.

Start at home

There's no better place to resurrect one's career than at home.

That's exactly what KLRC pair Gan Teik Chai and Tan Bin Shien need to do at the on-going Malaysia Open.

pic taken from ssdhaliwal.blogspot.com

Since been dropped by BA of Malaysia from the World Championship in London last year, despite being the second ranked pair, the duo's ranking have dropped tremendously.

In a way BAM decision seems vindicated as they cited a drop of current form at that moment. 

Teik Chai and Bin Shien have fought their case to OCM, demanding there be proper guildelines for NSA to select players representing Malaysia.

Some feel that the players were victimised for leaving BAM and joining KLRC. 

Questions have not been answered yet but what a way to find resolve than putting BAM in the spot again.

For that, they will have to climb up the ranks once again and qualify for the London Olympics later this year.

Read all about it in today's Mailsport.

First their endured Shattered London dreams which lead to OCM stepping in. The pair insisted they only want to move on.

However no middle path was found and ultimately OCM left everyone guessing. The players claimed there was no beef with BAM but sources close to themrevealed they may seek arbitration - something everyone has been waiting for.

Step up Zulfadli!

A heir to Lee Chong Wei's crown may have been found - although it may take several years and may be too early to say but signs look promising.

Step up Zulfadli Zulkifi - first he won the Asian Junior Championship in July, being the first Malaysian to do so, and now the World Junior Championship.

                        Zulfadli after winning the Asian title


Coached by his dad Zulkifli Sidek - no connection to the Sidek brothers here though - the KLRC player can only scale greater heights. BA of Malaysia (BAM) have already offered him a place but the 18-year-old doesn't want to turn his back on the club who has been supporting him for the last four years, as he told The Malay Mail here.

Haresh Deol has the story on his world junior title here.

KLRC could have a gem in their hands..... All the best Zulfadli.