KUALA LUMPUR, May 20, 2026 – Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) President Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz today held a high-level discussion with icons of Malaysia’s historic 1992 Thomas Cup victory, seeking their insights to propel the national team towards future success under the #Tangkis2030 initiative.
Tengku Zafrul, who also serves as Senior Political Advisor to Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, sat down with legends Datuk Rashid Sidek, Datuk Cheah Soon Kit, and Datuk Soo Beng Kiang. The meeting focused on the pressure of high-stakes matches, the mindset that separates champions from average players, and practical strategies to elevate Malaysian badminton.
“Ingat lagi Piala Thomas 1992? Mata pertama daripada Rashid Sidek. Mata kemenangan daripada Cheah Soon Kit dan Soo Beng Kiang,” Tengku Zafrul posted on X, recalling the dramatic 3-2 triumph over Indonesia in the final held at the Stadium Negara in Kuala Lumpur.
In that unforgettable final:
- Rashid Sidek secured the opening point with a commanding performance.
- The doubles pair of Cheah Soon Kit and Soo Beng Kiang delivered the decisive victory under immense pressure.
The meeting emphasised learning directly from those who experienced the pinnacle of success, rather than relying on theoretical discussions. “Bukan sembang kosong. Kalau nak majukan badminton negara, kita kena dengar sendiri pengalaman mereka,” Tengku Zafrul stressed.
Photos from the session show the BAM president engaged in earnest conversation with the former shuttlers, underscoring a commitment to hands-on knowledge transfer.
This engagement comes as Malaysia continues its push to reclaim badminton glory. The country last won the Thomas Cup in 1992 — ending a 25-year drought at the time — and has since pursued ambitious targets, including reclaiming the prestigious trophy and securing an elusive Olympic gold medal.
Tengku Zafrul has repeatedly voiced confidence in the #Tangkis2030 roadmap, even after recent setbacks, insisting that sustained development and resilience will yield results.
The session is expected to inform BAM’s training programmes, player development strategies, and overall approach as the national team prepares for upcoming international competitions.
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