KUALA LUMPUR: Thomas Cup winner Rashid Sidek believes Malaysia can have a team strong enough to win the coveted title in two years' time.
However, there is work to be done by the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) and the players themselves before the 2026 edition in Horsens, Denmark.
On Saturday, Malaysia were knocked out 3-1 by hosts China in the semi-finals in Chengdu.
Rashid, who played first singles when Malaysia won their fifth Thomas Cup in 1992, said this year's team were decent but still lacked experience and tactical prowess.
"The Malaysian team were not bad at all, but as I've mentioned before, we need to have several solid men's singles players to choose from.
"Twenty-year-old Justin Hoh and Leong Jun Hao are good prospects for the future, and I believe the experience gained in Chengdu will go a long way for them.
"Our men's doubles are already good, so we need to sharpen up our singles, and we will be able to challenge for the Cup two years from now," Rashid told
Timesport.
The former national singles head coach stressed that it will take some time to polish up younger players like Justin and doubles pair Choong Hon Jian-Haikal Nazri.
"I wasn't first singles from the start, nor was I immediately a Thomas Cup winner.
"I started in doubles back in 1986, then I played third singles in 1988, and eventually moved up the ranks to first singles in 1990 and 1992.
"Players like Justin, Jun Hao, and the rest will need more exposure like this. Only then will they improve further because they will feel it for themselves," added Rashid.
After winning the Thomas Cup in 1992 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia made four more final appearances, with the last one in New Delhi 10 years ago.