Frost confident M'sia will qualify for 2016 Thomas Cup Finals

Despite sending a young squad to the Badminton Asian Team Championships (BATC) in India, next month, Frost pointed out that Malaysia's position at number six in the BWF World Ranking proved that the team had a huge chance of making it to the prestigious biennial teams tournament.

BATC to be held from Feb 15-21 serves as the qualifying round for the competing countries to vie for a slot in the Thomas Cup Finals.

Frost said four slots each in the Thomas Cup Finals will be allocated to the best four teams in Europe, Asia and one slot each for the defending champions and the host nation as well as one spot to Oceania, Pan-American and Africa team through their respective continental championships.

"Three remaining spots will be up for grabs and we are currently ranked sixth in the world ranking and from there, I see there is no reason why we can't make it to China though we may not perform well in India," he told a press conference after attending BAM's first council meeting for 2016, Saturday.

BAM Acting President Tan Sri Mohamed Al-Amin Abd Majid chaired the meeting which was also attended by his deputy, Datuk Seri Mohamad Norza Zakaria, Secretary-General Ng Chin Chai and the council members.

On the inclusion of two young players -- Soo Teck Zhi and Soong Joo Ven -- both aged 20 for BATC, Frost said their selection to the tournament was made based on the improvement they have shown in the BWF World Ranking, lately.

"Yes, they did not win any major international tournaments last year but they have moved well in the world ranking, so that's why we feel that they need to be given a chance to play in BATC to gain more experience (against opponents from other countries in the tournament)," the Dane added.