KUALA LUMPUR: Showing that he is in top form during training is Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin’s way of showing that he needs to be selected for the squad that will compete in the Asia Team Badminton Championship from February 6 to 11 which is the qualifying round for the Thomas Cup.
According to the Muar born player, it is every badminton player’s dream to be able to play in the Thomas Cup during their professional career, himself included.
"Right now I do not know what my chances are of making the squad. Only the coach can make such a decision, however I have been training really well and I can only hope that I will be given the trust and belief to be part of the team like two years ago as the second singles player,” he said.
Iskandar Zulkarnain, 26, is bent on being part of the squad and therefore prove to national men’s singles champion, Lee Chong Wei, who had called on national players to display more fighting spirit when playing for the country, that he is indeed a fighter who will fight to the end for the sake of the team.
"I know Chong Wei wants players who have fighting spirit, who are not afraid and will not fold when under pressure on court. I hope that I will be given the trust and I am confident that I can play as well as perform during the championship as perhaps the third singles player based on current rankings.
"Looking back at the list of players from two years ago, there is a 40 to 60 per cent chance that half the players who represented the country then will make the squad, with the remainder made up of young, up and coming players.
“At the same time, we should not be hoping for something extraordinary to happen during this qualifying campaign. We stand a good chance of and it is up to us to make things happen,” he said.
When asked about his overall achievements this season, Iskandar Zulkarnain admitted he has been on a tough path with obstacles and hurdles in his way following a bad back injury.
"Last year I saw action in quite a few Super Series tournaments, though it has been a different story this season where I’ve only been able to collect points from International Challenges, until I had to endure a drop in ranking and only won the Malaysian International Challenge title in Pasir Gudang.
"As for next year, it will be difficult because of the new rules. So I cannot waste not even a chance, it is not that difficult though to make competition better by being more competitive.
“I need to work very hard to keep my place in the national team and to be given the chance to compete in a few major championships and big team events,” he said.
Iskandar Zulkarnain, who is ranked World No. 97, will begin next year’s campaign by taking part in the India Open from January 30 to February 4.