Despite working on a tight schedule after the recent Tokyo Olympics and a Covid-19 cluster that disrupted training programmes at the Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM), the national badminton squad remain upbeat ahead of the Sudirman Cup in Vantaa, Finland, which starts on Sunday.
BA of Malaysia (BAM) coaching director Wong Choong Hann said most of the players are at least 90 per cent ready for the championship.
"Our team are in good spirits ahead of the Sudirman Cup challenge.
"We had team simulations where the players played against each other and also in their respective departments to get them in the mood for competition again.
"The players, who returned from the Tokyo Olympics, have had a bit of a hectic schedule with multiple events, but they are all about 90 per cent ready.
"As for the players who were unlucky to contract Covid-19 after the European tournaments in June, they are recovering. Some players still need some time, but they are all eager to play.
"With a few more days of fine-tuning, we should be prepared," said Choong Hann, who left for Finland yesterday with 18 players and five coaches.
Malaysia are in Group D with second seeds Japan, England and Egypt in the Sudirman Cup.
BAM have set a quarter-final target, but Choong Hann would like to see the team go further.
"We will focus on achieving our target first, but we will capitalise on whatever opportunity we have.
"If there is a chance, we will go for it," added Choon Hann, who noted that other teams are also expected to field mixed squads for this year's competition.
Men's singles Lee Zii Jia and World No 8 Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik lead the team, also comprising Ng Tze Yong, Aidil Sholeh Ali Sadikin (men's singles), Man Wei Chung-Tee Kai Wun (men's doubles), S. Kisona, Eoon Qi Xuan, K. Letshanaa (women's singles), M. Thinaah-Pearly Tan, Yap Ling-Teoh Mei Xing (women's doubles), Hoo Pang Ron-Cheah Yee See and Chen Tang Jie-Peck Yen Wei (mixed doubles).
Malaysia's best achievement in the event was reaching the semi-finals at the 2009 Guangzhou edition.