Sudirman Cup team in high spirits - Frost

The national badminton squad's preparations for the Sudirman Cup has received a big boost with the presence of former world number one men's singles player Datuk Lee Chong Wei, said Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) technical director Morten Frost Hansen.

"It is good to have him back. Now he (Chong Wei) is a full time member of the team...that's very nice. I am sure that he loves it as well," Frost told reporters when met at Stadium Juara in Bukit Kiara, here today.

Today is the first day back in training for Chong Wei from serving a retroactive eight-month ban after he was tested positive for dexamethasone at the World Championships in Copenhagen last August.

Chong Wei was among the earliest player turning up for training at Stadium Juara, as part of his preparation for the Sudirman Cup in Dongguan, China, from May 10 to 17.

BAM has named a 14-member team for the Sudirman Cup and Chong Wei was appointed as the team captain for the Malaysian squad.

"When I am here at the court (Juara Stadium) everyday, I can feel the intensity...the mood and the motivation is really growing quite well (among the players). It is great to see that all players giving an extra commitment.

"This is what it takes to become a world class player. And I feel that's it what we are kind of getting at the moment which I very much enjoy," said Frost.

For the Sudirman Cup, Malaysia have been drawn in Group 1D with three- time champions South Korea and India.

The team will leave for China on Wednesday.