In their ongoing journey at the Total Energies Thomas and Uber Cup 2024 in Chengdu, China, Team Algeria faced off against Malaysia, one of the world’s top badminton nations, on Sunday, April 28th. Despite facing formidable opponents, the Algerian players showcased personality and willpower throughout the matches, leaving an indelible mark on the tournament.
In the first singles match, Adel Hamek went head-to-head against Lee Zii Jia, a former All England Champion and Asian Champion in 2022. Despite the tough competition, Hamek displayed exceptional skills and determination, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to compete at such a high level and highlighting the invaluable experience gained, especially for the younger members of the team.
After the match, Hamek shared his thoughts with BCA TV, stating, “This is indeed a good opportunity for all of us to play with this level of players as it will encourage us and motivate us to push harder and also work harder. I am sure that we are gaining a fruitful experience, especially the youngsters in our team.”
The second singles saw Youcef Sabri Medal facing off against CHEAM June Wei. Despite knowing the challenge ahead, Medal demonstrated unwavering self-discipline and a fighting spirit, emphasizing the team’s commitment to giving their all on the court and learning from every match.
Following his match, Sabri Medal spoke to BCA TV, saying, “We are aware that we have nothing to lose and this is what is pushing us to fight harder on court as we want to create surprises. We will continue to give our 100% on court and we shall never give up no matter what. If the level are not the same, then we will definitely take note of our weaknesses and put it to work once back home.”
In the third singles match, Mohamed Abderrahime Belarbi battled against Justin Hoh, with Hoh ultimately emerging victorious. However, Belarbi expressed immense pride in the team’s journey, highlighting the challenges they overcame to reach this prestigious tournament and emphasizing the importance of seizing the opportunity to compete against world-class players.
After the match, Belarbi shared his thoughts with BCA TV, stating, “We are very proud of ourselves to reach to this level and it was not an easy way. We had to fight all the tough African countries. And now it is the time to shine and make the most out of it as we are not playing with regular players. It is a precious opportunity and we know how to savour it. For example, it is not every day that you get to play with a world and Olympic Champion, or a former All England Champion and so on.”
In the men’s doubles, Koceila Mammeri and Youcef Sabri Medal faced Nur Izzuddin and Soh Wooi Yik, while Sifeddine Larbaoui and Mohamed Abdelaziz Ouchefoun took on Choong Hon Jian and Muhammad Haikal in the second doubles match. Despite the outcomes, both pairs exhibited fortitude and a hunger to learn and improve, acknowledging the significance of gaining experience from competing against top-level opponents.
Despite the 5-0 loss to Malaysia, Team Algeria’s performance garnered admiration and respect as they have been qualified for this event 4 times in a row now, showcasing their potential and strength to compete at the highest level. As they continue their journey, the team remains focused on learning, growing, and striving for success in future competitions.
