Arif-Roy King eye stellar show at BATC to claim Thomas Cup spot [WATCH]

KUALA LUMPUR: Men's doubles player Wan Arif Junaidi hopes to strengthen his claim for a Thomas Cup spot with partner Yap Roy King at the Badminton Asia Team Championships (BATC) in Qingdao, China, from Feb 3-8.

BAM has named a young squad for the BATC, with world No. 19 Arif–Roy King set for their debuts as first doubles.

A sterling performance in Qingdao can increase their chances of getting selected for the Thomas Cup in Horsens, Denmark, from April 24-May 3.

Malaysia's top three pairs — world No. 2 Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun (No. 6) and Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani (No. 9) — will skip the BATC.

However, Arif's participation will also depend on the condition of Roy King after the latter was forced to withdraw from the ongoing Indonesia Masters due to an ankle injury sustained at the India Open last week.

"We still need to assess Roy King's injury. That's the reason we withdrew from the Indonesia Masters. Our focus is on the BATC where we could play as the first doubles," said Arif.

Roy King is waiting for a scan report from the National Sports Institute before he resumes training.

Besides Arif–Roy King, the men's doubles line-up for the BATC are world No. 34 Choong Hon Jian-Haikal Nazri and Aaron Tai-Kang Khai Xing (No. 36).

Although the squad are made up largely of back-up players, Arif believes team spirit will be crucial in holding their own against the top nations.

"Everyone has to show team spirit although most are back-up players. Even if we lose, let it be dignified and not a battering," said Arif.

In Qingdao, Malaysia, who are drawn in Group D with Indonesia and Myanmar, should finish among the top two to reach the last eight, where they will face top guns like China, South Korea or Japan.