KUALA LUMPUR: Chef de mission Datuk Hamidin Amin is hoping the national badminton squad will secure a positive boost from competing at the ongoing Thomas Cup in China ahead of the all-important Paris Olympics on July 26-Aug 11.
Hamidin said he is closely monitoring the performances of all the athletes who have already, or are expected, to qualify for Paris.
National shuttlers will once again be expected to fight for the medals at the Olympics with players such as Lee Zii Jia and men's doubles pair Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik expected to lead the charge.
"Currently 18 athletes, including our shuttlers, have already qualified for Paris and we are expecting another eight to 10 to qualify," said Hamidin yesterday.
"I am monitoring all of the athletes in terms of their training programmes as well as their competitions.
"Some of them are currently abroad while the rest are here. I will be meeting with some of them next week.
"I am hoping our badminton players will perform well at the Thomas Cup. So far they have done well to win twice, hopefully they continue.
"It (a good run) is important for them, not only for their performance (form) but also their mood before they head to the Olympics."
The national squad have so far beaten Hong Kong and Algeria in the Thomas Cup and are in second place in Group D behind Denmark.
They have already secured their place in the quarterfinals but will still play Denmark in their final group tie tomorrow in a match which will decide the group champions.