Uphill fight expected for shuttlers
Hong Kong's national badminton squad have intensified their training for next month's Thomas and Uber Cup finals to be held at the Queen Elizabeth Stadium.
With less than three weeks before the start of the world's premier badminton team event, Chan Chi-choi's charges are hoping to be in tip-top shape knowing they have a big task ahead of them.
In the Thomas Cup for men, Hong Kong have been drawn against top teams China, Denmark and Sweden in Group A, but not even the home advantage is going to be of much help, according to national coach Chan.
'We are currently undergoing intensive training so we can be physically prepared to meet these teams. China and Denmark are two of the most powerful badminton nations in the world.
'We don't have the same depth as before because some experienced players have retired since the last competition,' said Chan.
'We'll just have to play our best. China and Denmark will send their best players so it's going to be very tough for us,.' Similarly, the Hong Kong women's Uber Cup team have increased their training knowing that they will have to contend with China, Denmark and Japan in Group A.
'Tam Kai-chuen will lead our men's team but he's only 21, while Koon Wai-chee will lead our women's team and she is just 17,' said Chan.
'At the last Thomas Cup and Uber Cup finals held in Hong Kong in 1996, we had some experienced players like Chan Siu-kwong. But they have since hung up their racquets. It's going to harder this time.' The one-week tournament starts on May 15 with Indonesia looking to defend both their titles.
