Lots of Malaysian and Singaporean juniors in the qualifying. For the result of today's first qualifying round, the big upset is Lydia Cheah defeating Lee Hyun Jin 20, 10. She will face Gu Juan (who also caused an upset, I think, by beating Sari Shinta Mulya) for a place in the main draw.

Results: http://www.singaporebadmintonopen.com/en/ts_results.asp?id=11066

Sad to note that our own local boys still have a long way to go. :(

We should seriously go and study how the Danes do it. There's simply not enough competiton within the ranks for anyone to work harder. Take a look at Ronald Susilo, since that win in 2004, he has not been achieving much at all. Yet, he is still our "best" player simply because the other national players sucks.

We should seriously go and study how the Danes do it. There's simply not enough competiton within the ranks for anyone to work harder. Take a look at Ronald Susilo, since that win in 2004, he has not been achieving much at all. Yet, he is still our "best" player simply because the other national players sucks.
Poor Kendrick, I bet hes heart broken if he sees this comment:p

Poor Kendrick, I bet hes heart broken if he sees this comment:p

On the other hand, it might well jolt him up and he should ask himself what's wrong with him mentally! Being World Junior Runner Up is no small matter but that was years ago and he hasn't improved much since then! :rolleyes:

On the other hand, it might well jolt him up and he should ask himself what's wrong with him mentally! Being World Junior Runner Up is no small matter but that was years ago and he hasn't improved much since then! :rolleyes:
I think its matter of commitment...
Does he study as well?
For chinese player is all or nothing... like u either make it or u are out living on the streets... I think we must be bring that sort of mentality to singapore lol

On the other hand, it might well jolt him up and he should ask himself what's wrong with him mentally! Being World Junior Runner Up is no small matter but that was years ago and he hasn't improved much since then! :rolleyes:

Exactly what I was think all the while! He has what it takes to be world junior runners-up, so there's no excuse of lack of talent or skills. And looking at the achievement of Singaporeans in badminton in the past decade, I believe all we hope for are some respectable Open titles here and there. And guess what, zero from him all these while.

The old saying goes, you feed a soldier for a thousand days, you use him for one moment... Its being a thousand days already I believe... All he ever did decently was the Cheers Championships... *sigh*

I think its matter of commitment...
Does he study as well?
For chinese player is all or nothing... like u either make it or u are out living on the streets... I think we must be bring that sort of mentality to singapore lol

The chinese players trains 6 days a week. I do not know how much the malaysian or indonesian players train but singaporean players got to train harder than the rest in order to do better. There's simply no shortcut to it.

On the other hand, we should learn something from France, Germany and Holland... Theirs are called Foreign TALENT programme, our are simply foreign workers programme.

The chinese players trains 6 days a week. I do not know how much the malaysian or indonesian players train but singaporean players got to train harder than the rest in order to do better. There's simply no shortcut to it.

On the other hand, we should learn something from France, Germany and Holland... Theirs are called Foreign TALENT programme, our are simply foreign workers programme.


Well consider this, Singapore has bugger all population, and out of that only a small number of people take up the sport --- u don't have badminton courts everywhere like Indonesia, Malaysia or China.

Many years ago BBC London approached Tan Aik Mong (Aik huang's younger brother, who was my school captain) to do a documentary about badminton in Malaysia after Aik Huang had won the 1966 All-England. I was a very young boy then and we were told by our captain (Aik Mong) to go to the Wet Market to film a documentary --- the theme was that Malaysians are so good because they can even play badminton in the wet market (so you can imagine we boys were all stars in the BBC documentary pretending to play in the Wet market - we were told the English would buy the story:D ). Maybe Singapore needs to do a documentary like this to get the people to play more(even in the wet market) !;)

Honestly, Singapore should be thankful you got Ronald Susilo. But if you are not, then get your cheap thrills, go for Taufik(he has still got a few years left :D ) -- buy more !!! Just don't steal LCW !!!

Bad luck lor. I think with his build, he shd focus on doubles. It tough for him to have that kind of stamina to last. Knowing his build is bigger. Ronald though is thinner, shd be ok for singles. Psychologically, I got a feeling its because of the fear of injury. It's not easy to overcome it if you have had that kind of horrendous injury.
rgds:D

On the other hand, it might well jolt him up and he should ask himself what's wrong with him mentally! Being World Junior Runner Up is no small matter but that was years ago and he hasn't improved much since then! :rolleyes:

Well consider this, Singapore has bugger all population, and out of that only a small number of people take up the sport --- u don't have badminton courts everywhere like Indonesia, Malaysia or China..
Population doesn't matter.... and the facilities are there anyways..... Take NZ for example.. the population is about singapore's yet they produce olympic Gold medalist in cycling and all... Sarah Omar she has passion for cycling thats why she made it

Talent are there and I belive its matter of mentality and commitment
How big you want to achieve and whether do you have passion for this sport
Why are the Danes so good? I believe the Danes are so good because this is their national sport, they have passion for badminton, they love playing badminton...
Look at Tony Gunawan another good example.. why is he still good? I believe his passion for badminton drives him to success.
I can guarantee.. alot of pro malaysian player play badminton as a way of escaping harsh life.... its true.... last time a friend of mine told me this... he play in order to make it out of hellhole, but I think this has even greater effect in China thats why players commit their life to make it

I do agree to a certain extend. Its the hunger... If its not there, its tough.:D

Population doesn't matter.... and the facilities are there anyways..... Take NZ for example.. the population is about singapore's yet they produce olympic Gold medalist in cycling and all... Sarah Omar she has passion for cycling thats why she made it

Talent are there and I belive its matter of mentality and commitment
How big you want to achieve and whether do you have passion for this sport
Why are the Danes so good? I believe the Danes are so good because this is their national sport, they have passion for badminton, they love playing badminton...
Look at Tony Gunawan another good example.. why is he still good? I believe his passion for badminton drives him to success.
I can guarantee.. alot of pro malaysian player play badminton as a way of escaping harsh life.... its true.... last time a friend of mine told me this... he play in order to make it out of hellhole, but I think this has even greater effect in China thats why players commit their life to make it

On the other hand, it might well jolt him up and he should ask himself what's wrong with him mentally! Being World Junior Runner Up is no small matter but that was years ago and he hasn't improved much since then! :rolleyes:

Well, the reason he hasn't been winning its because he hasn't been training much due to his injury (he injured his archiles tendon). But I think Ronald is not bad a player.. can still improve though.

Well consider this, Singapore has bugger all population, and out of that only a small number of people take up the sport --- u don't have badminton courts everywhere like Indonesia, Malaysia or China.

Many years ago BBC London approached Tan Aik Mong (Aik huang's younger brother, who was my school captain) to do a documentary about badminton in Malaysia after Aik Huang had won the 1966 All-England. I was a very young boy then and we were told by our captain (Aik Mong) to go to the Wet Market to film a documentary --- the theme was that Malaysians are so good because they can even play badminton in the wet market (so you can imagine we boys were all stars in the BBC documentary pretending to play in the Wet market - we were told the English would buy the story:D ). Maybe Singapore needs to do a documentary like this to get the people to play more(even in the wet market) !;)

Honestly, Singapore should be thankful you got Ronald Susilo. But if you are not, then get your cheap thrills, go for Taufik(he has still got a few years left :D ) -- buy more !!! Just don't steal LCW !!!

Hey, we have lots of badminton courts. Every few blocks of flats here come with a badminton court. There's also lots of indoor courts for booking (okay, they are always taken up by the super bookers like BC members).

Oh man... I was eyeing LCW all the while. haha :D

Well, the reason he hasn't been winning its because he hasn't been training much due to his injury (he injured his archiles tendon). But I think Ronald is not bad a player.. can still improve though.

That was supposed to refer to Kenderick Lee.

Yeah, just like what X BAll mentioned, Malaysians play badminton everywhere... You could just walk up to the gardens, fields, backyards n you see lots of mummy n daddy playing badminton with thier kids n children around age 3 or 4 waving the racquet in the air(obviously they cant any shuttlers hit right on the racquet)... And i play badminton once a week if it's holiday... that's the position of badminton in Malaysia... I dont really see the same thing happens in Singapore, i guess

I always see kids playing badminton downstairs... I used to play a few times a week when I was a kid too and I play everywhere including narrow corridors. However, my case is different because I suffer from severe lack of talent. haha

I always see kids playing badminton downstairs... I used to play a few times a week when I was a kid too and I play everywhere including narrow corridors. However, my case is different because I suffer from severe lack of talent. haha
LOL~ thats the spirit man~ we need passion rather than talent:D
I would rather play a passionate lousy player than a pro guy who is cocky and all about show

What has the performance of Ronald Susilo and Kendrick Lee to do with the topic "Qualifying Rounds" when both of them are not even playing??
I think Chen Jiayuan did a good job to beat Anna Rice in 3 sets.

LOL~ thats the spirit man~ we need passion rather than talent:D
I would rather play a passionate lousy player than a pro guy who is cocky and all about show

Well, the cocky players back then were in the school team. :D

What has the performance of Ronald Susilo and Kendrick Lee to do with the topic "Qualifying Rounds" when both of them are not even playing??
I think Chen Jiayuan did a good job to beat Anna Rice in 3 sets.
there were people expressing disappointment regarding singaporean badminton performance... that they are struggling even in qualification... which leads to discussion of R.S and K.L

LOL~ thats the spirit man~ we need passion rather than talent:D
I would rather play a passionate lousy player than a pro guy who is cocky and all about show

That's ABSOLUTELY what I'm trying to say......

I also have a badminton court (very nicely done in green) just below my block. The problem is that its windy some times, thats why it put of some younger players to play more. Remember that singapore is an island. Of course cannot compared to danish where it's a national sport (kinda).:D
rgds

Yeah, just like what X BAll mentioned, Malaysians play badminton everywhere... You could just walk up to the gardens, fields, backyards n you see lots of mummy n daddy playing badminton with thier kids n children around age 3 or 4 waving the racquet in the air(obviously they cant any shuttlers hit right on the racquet)... And i play badminton once a week if it's holiday... that's the position of badminton in Malaysia... I dont really see the same thing happens in Singapore, i guess

Even though there are not as many badminton courts as in Malaysia but still there are courts easily available in Singapore. I have been there and played at so many places while I visited Singapore so court availability definately is not the issue. Hendrick is a part time player, I think he's attending one of the Polytechnic in Singapore hence is hard for him to excel. Malaysia players train as hard as Chinese players except the hungry of winning is not there as they are well paid regardless winning or losing. Also the talent pool is not as deep as China, I think only India can match China if more emphasis in put in this sport and we have seen youngster like Siana emerging in recent tournament.
For Singapore to do well, more incentive has to be given as the sport itself hardly have any reward ... The Korean reward the althelic by taking care the rest of his/her life if he/she win the Olympic gold, Singapore should do the similar thing. Population is not the key issue as tiny country like Denmark produces so many great players.

. The Korean reward the althelic by taking care the rest of his/her life if he/she win the Olympic gold, Singapore should do the similar thing. Population is not the key issue as tiny country like Denmark produces so many great players.

You mean $1 million is not enough? How much are the Koreans getting?

If you win olympic gold and get $1 million now, and invest it and live off, say 5% returns per year which is $50,000 plus income from a day job like coaching I think it's comfortable, plus when you retire, you still have the $1 million principal. Of course, nothing to compared to say a Tennis Pro's earnings from endorsements if he/she wins olympic gold.

http://www.badmintoncentral.com/vb/showthread.php?t=17230

You mean $1 million is not enough? How much are the Koreans getting?

If you win olympic gold and get $1 million now, and invest it and live off, say 5% returns per year which is $50,000 plus income from a day job like coaching I think it's comfortable, plus when you retire, you still have the $1 million principal. Of course, nothing to compared to say a Tennis Pro's earnings from endorsements if he/she wins olympic gold.

http://www.badmintoncentral.com/vb/showthread.php?t=17230 I think singapore government should encourage player to excel in every open tournament...
like if u win an open u should get like 5grand or something as bonus :p

We cannot simply make the assumption that badminton is the national sport of Denmark. I think it isn't. Isn't there a nagging Danish lament that there isn't enough support at home and the players liked to play in Asia because of the passionate crowd. I think football is by far the Dane's national sport.

However, there are more registered badminton players in Denmark than in Malaysia. Go figure.

The qualifying round for mixed doubles is concluded. Mohd Rizal/Greysia Polii are through to the main draw and will face an Indian pair tomorrow. If they win, they will face the newly crowned Indonesia Open champion Xie Zhongbo/Zhang Yawen in the second round on Thursday.

The qualifying round for mixed doubles is concluded. Mohd Rizal/Greysia Polii are through to the main draw and will face an Indian pair tomorrow. If they win, they will face the newly crowned Indonesia Open champion Xie Zhongbo/Zhang Yawen in the second round on Thursday.

It would be a disastrous result if they cannot get to the main draw. In fact, I'm not surprised they are not automatically in the main draw.

Well, the cocky players back then were in the school team. :D

There is more fun being cocky than being passionate --- you guys don't know how to be cocky:p

It would be a disastrous result if they cannot get to the main draw. In fact, I'm not surprised they are not automatically in the main draw.

Well..their world ranking is not enough to be in the main draw (with only points from the PO). With pts from PO, IO, and now SO, they should be in the top 50.

Population doesn't matter.... and the facilities are there anyways..... Take NZ for example.. the population is about singapore's yet they produce olympic Gold medalist in cycling and all... Sarah Omar she has passion for cycling thats why she made it

Talent are there and I belive its matter of mentality and commitment
How big you want to achieve and whether do you have passion for this sport
Why are the Danes so good? I believe the Danes are so good because this is their national sport, they have passion for badminton, they love playing badminton...
Look at Tony Gunawan another good example.. why is he still good? I believe his passion for badminton drives him to success.
I can guarantee.. alot of pro malaysian player play badminton as a way of escaping harsh life.... its true.... last time a friend of mine told me this... he play in order to make it out of hellhole, but I think this has even greater effect in China thats why players commit their life to make it

I agree with most of what you say.

Denmark is a first-world country and has been high up in ranking in many areas, social, economic, education, civic society, etc, and of course in sports as well, particularly the lesser known badminton game. The Danes don't need poverty or poor living and social conditions to wake them up.

Look at Peter Gade. Not only is he still European Champion at such a late age, he did this after a lengthy period of recuperation from a very serious Achilles tendon injury! Now this man has overome a great deal of personal sacrifice and tragedy, including losing Camilla Martin. Even now, Peter is a threat to all the world's best players!

How many can make a comeback after all these adversities? Only those with a strong mental toughness and resolve to prove everybody wrong! Only those still having a passion for what they believe in, confidence and self-belief in what they can do and implement the plans that they have set out for themselves to achieve their goals.

Do our boys have some of those qualities that Peter possesses? :cool:

Definitely not. Those who excel in sports are all singaporean imported mercenary players.

They have to stop this practise and let's the home-grown boys playing in those tournaments.

I think singapore government should encourage player to excel in every open tournament...
like if u win an open u should get like 5grand or something as bonus :p

I guess you haven't been keeping up with the news.

If a Singapore player qualifies for AVIVA OPEN SEMI-FINALS he gets $10,000 bonus. So your suggestion of 5 grand for winning Aviva open is a bit on the low side.

So really, there is no shortage of financial incentives, just shortage of players :D

http://en.chinabroadcast.cn/301/2006/04/11/165@75899.htm

Population doesn't matter.... and the facilities are there anyways..... Take NZ for example.. the population is about singapore's yet they produce olympic Gold medalist in cycling and all... Sarah Omar she has passion for cycling thats why she made it

Talent are there and I belive its matter of mentality and commitment
How big you want to achieve and whether do you have passion for this sport
Why are the Danes so good? I believe the Danes are so good because this is their national sport, they have passion for badminton, they love playing badminton...
Look at Tony Gunawan another good example.. why is he still good? I believe his passion for badminton drives him to success.
I can guarantee.. alot of pro malaysian player play badminton as a way of escaping harsh life.... its true.... last time a friend of mine told me this... he play in order to make it out of hellhole, but I think this has even greater effect in China thats why players commit their life to make it


I need to knock everthing you said above.

How can it be -- population does not matter ? Of course, it does if you have more people, there is a better chance that you will come across someone who would stand up. You are taking Denmark as an example which is different as badminton is almost a national game there as you said (after football). But if you take Singapore, there is less chance that a player of any calibre would come through the rank.

Passion is not the only factor else LOH would be winning the SO and IO:D ! Government support is also important -- the Australian Institute of Sport was formed to promote science into sports and helped Aussies to excel, and that was the factor that produced Ian Thorpe, Klim, etc.

Malaysians play to stay out of 'hellhole' ? What kind of spin is that ? BAM pays pittance and the only way to survive is to win. Your contradiction is obvious --- firstly we play because of passion and then we play because we want to get out of the 'hellhole'.

Sorry - I have to advise you I am not buying anything you said.:( :)

Definitely not. Those who excel in sports are all singaporean imported mercenary players.

They have to stop this practise and let's the home-grown boys playing in those tournaments.

I agreed with u on this... They probably have to stop importing players from china n indonesia.. We would like to see all true singaoreans on court...

I guess you haven't been keeping up with the news.

If a Singapore player qualifies for AVIVA OPEN SEMI-FINALS he gets $10,000 bonus. So your suggestion of 5 grand for winning Aviva open is a bit on the low side.

So really, there is no shortage of financial incentives, just shortage of players :D

http://en.chinabroadcast.cn/301/2006/04/11/165@75899.htm

And I might add that there are other incentives in place for the national player who represents and does well for Singapore. Just have a look at the SBA website to find out more. Compared to the past, our national players are well-taken care of today, but they must show commitment and bring glory to the country! :D

And I might add that there are other incentives in place for the national player who represents and does well for Singapore. Just have a look at the SBA website to find out more. Compared to the past, our national players are well-taken care of today, but they must show commitment and bring glory to the country! :D

Singapore knows they can offer anything because there will be no collection !!!:D :D

It is different in Malaysia coz they know there will be LCW, HF, WCH, KBH. Mana boleh tahan ?:D :rolleyes:

Definitely not. Those who excel in sports are all singaporean imported mercenary players.

They have to stop this practise and let's the home-grown boys playing in those tournaments.

You are absolutely wrong. The foreign talent scheme's main objective is not to have only foreign talents playing for Singapore, it is to provide more competition. Singaporean players sucks NOT because of a lack of opportunities, but a lack of competition. Do we look like we have no money to send our best players to big tournaments?

The reigning national champion rarely gets threatened in local tournaments and thus will not feel the need to train harder since he will always get the chance to represent Singapore and travel to overseas tournaments. Take a look at those Cheers Championships results, its always those few guys winning locally; the same guys who are perenial punching bags in international tournaments.

China is successful because if you do not do really well, you get dropped from the national team and someone else who is just as good will replace you. Why do you think there are a number of good chinese players going to to France, Germany and Holland?

You simply cannot use coffeeshop theories to look at such issues.

For the better future of Singapore, I would vote to prefer foreign mercenaries than certain narrowminded Singaporeans who tend to think they are everything Singapore only needs and fail to realise that Singapore is built not just by Singaporeans but also by foreign talents throughout all these years; Malaysians, Indonesians, Indians, Chinese, Westerners, etc.

Oh by the way, do not feel too sad if and when you realised that majority of these "foreign mercenaries" actually made more contribution to Singapore than you.

You are absolutely wrong. The foreign talent scheme's main objective is not to have only foreign talents playing for Singapore, it is to provide more competition. Singaporean players sucks NOT because of a lack of opportunities, but a lack of competition. Do we look like we have no money to send our best players to big tournaments?

The reigning national champion rarely gets threatened in local tournaments and thus will not feel the need to train harder since he will always get the chance to represent Singapore and travel to overseas tournaments. Take a look at those Cheers Championships results, its always those few guys winning locally; the same guys who are perenial punching bags in international tournaments.

China is successful because if you do not do really well, you get dropped from the national team and someone else who is just as good will replace you. Why do you think there are a number of good chinese players going to to France, Germany and Holland?

You simply cannot use coffeeshop theories to look at such issues.

For the better future of Singapore, I would vote to prefer foreign mercenaries than certain narrowminded Singaporeans who tend to think they are everything Singapore only needs and fail to realise that Singapore is built not just by Singaporeans but also by foreign talents throughout all these years; Malaysians, Indonesians, Indians, Chinese, Westerners, etc.

Oh by the way, do not feel too sad if and when you realised that majority of these "foreign mercenaries" actually made more contribution to Singapore than you.

well, what you have said is certainly true enuff.. but this has gone on too long.. do you realised that singapore has imported foreign players in most of the sports not only badminton? I guess singapore needs more foreign coaches to coach thier national players rather than non stop importing... U have competition, but it doesnt help much on ur improvement.. that's what i think

I agreed with u on this... They probably have to stop importing players from china n indonesia.. We would like to see all true singaoreans on court...

You are just another one of those. As a Singaporean, I do not mind seeing anyone representing Singapore. Who cares what you would like.

Anyway, I apologize for my hash language. I just find that foreign talent bashing is something very silly to do.

well, what you have said is certain true enuff.. but this has gone on too long.. do you realised that singapore has imported foreign players in most of the sports not only badminton? I guess singapore needs more foreign coaches to coach thier national players rather than non stop importing... U have competition, but it doesnt help much on ur improvement.. that's what i think

The fact is this foreign talent scheme was created because of the shortcomings of so-called "local" sportsmen. Our local champions are not working hard enough. Imagine having an employee who is the best you have but yet is not good enough. You cannot fire him and promote someone else in your company he is already the best in the company, so the only way is to headhunt from outside the company.

You are just another one of those. As a Singaporean, I do not mind seeing anyone representing Singapore. Who cares what you would like.

I would assume that not every singaporean thinks as what you think... Well, you wouldnt need country name on the back of ur shirt if everyone thinks like dat...

Singaporeans had told me that they would like to see singaporeans on court.. u got to told them " who cares what you guys like?"

I need to knock everthing you said above.

How can it be -- population does not matter ? Of course, it does if you have more people, there is a better chance that you will come across someone who would stand up. You are taking Denmark as an example which is different as badminton is almost a national game there as you said (after football). But if you take Singapore, there is less chance that a player of any calibre would come through the rank.

Passion is not the only factor else LOH would be winning the SO and IO:D ! Government support is also important -- the Australian Institute of Sport was formed to promote science into sports and helped Aussies to excel, and that was the factor that produced Ian Thorpe, Klim, etc.

Malaysians play to stay out of 'hellhole' ? What kind of spin is that ? BAM pays pittance and the only way to survive is to win. Your contradiction is obvious --- firstly we play because of passion and then we play because we want to get out of the 'hellhole'.

Sorry - I have to advise you I am not buying anything you said.:( :) Oo.. sorry i must clarify "hellhole" :p
You see I came from small town in malaysia, and some of my friend lives in poverty... ie like sometimes dont even eat lunch type
He picked up badminton when he was form1(age13) and begins to train...
He will skip class for the sake of badminton... and he told me everyone who joined badminton was desperately attempting to made it to state player, they will travel far far to where professional coach train them for a minimum fee.. some of them just wanted to get out of "hellhole" thus...... ya I hope that clarifies it :p

Oh ya and population plays a role to certain extend... however like I say... look @ small country population like NZ they still manage to produce Gold medalist in Olympic... and compare to malaysia/singapore... we got egg :D

The fact is this foreign talent scheme was created because of the shortcomings of so-called "local" sportsmen. Our local champions are not working hard enough. Imagine having an employee who is the best you have but yet is not good enough. You cannot fire him and promote someone else in your company he is already the best in the company, so the only way is to headhunt from outside the company.
I think singaporean parents are teaching kids how to make more money than focusing on what they like to do (badminton) :D

I would assume that not every singaporean thinks as what you think... Well, you wouldnt need country name on the back of ur shirt if everyone thinks like dat...

Singaporeans had told me that they would like to see singaporeans on court.. u got to told them " who cares what you guys like?"

We all WOULD like to see, that's why this foreign talent scheme was created. The scheme is not the ultimate solution, it is just a supporting solution to eventually allow us to fulfill our wish to see "singaporeans" on the court. Some of those you spoke to are likely to be the narrowminded ones.

One thing is, immigrants are also Singaporeans!

The fact is this foreign talent scheme was created because of the shortcomings of so-called "local" sportsmen. Our local champions are not working hard enough. Imagine having an employee who is the best you have but yet is not good enough. You cannot fire him and promote someone else in your company he is already the best in the company, so the only way is to headhunt from outside the company.

i think they have tried hard.. but they just nid another type of training environment... U got to have coaches who are really pressing you onto it...

Yet sometimes I think that this foreign talent scheme may cause some negtives sides... What if singaporean players would not try hard because there are always ppl ahead of them will do it for them? If they are once playing as the best of singapore, i guess they would try to improve n show to the others that singapore can manage it too...

I think singaporean parents are teaching kids how to make more money than focusing on what they like to do (badminton) :D

That was always the problem in the past and probably even now. I would not say it was wrong, but it is just how we started. Its a growing process.

We all WOULD like to see, that's why this foreign talent scheme was created. The scheme is not the ultimate solution, it is just a supporting solution to eventually allow us to fulfill our wish to see "singaporeans" on the court. Some of those you spoke to are likely to be the narrowminded ones.

One thing is, immigrants are also Singaporeans!

if you guys would like to see, so you couldnt say that "some of those you spoke to are likely yo be the narrowminded ones"... U talked like we are definite on the singaporean nationality thing n we are too narrow-minded enough to speak on these occassions..

i think they have tried hard.. but they just nid another type of training environment... U got to have coaches who are really pressing you onto it...

Yet sometimes I think that this foreign talent scheme may cause some negtives sides... What if singaporean players would not try hard because there are always ppl ahead of them will do it for them? If they are once playing as the best of singapore, i guess they would try to improve n show to the others that singapore can manage it too...

The coaches cannot push them too hard because the players' ultra-ridiculous protective parents/spouse will force them to quit or the players simply quit because they do not have that mentality. I remember Zhao Jian Hua said something about dedication and living badminton.

I agree that there could be side effects, unfortunately, we do not have a better solution unless we use unreasonable and extreme methods like putting players at gun point or torture. :D We'll just have to live with the more acceptable solution for now.

There's always a possibility that some ultra hardcore badminton nut might pop up somehow who happen to have good family nurturing, etc like Tiger Woods in golf. But it is worst than lottery.

The coaches cannot push them too hard because the players' ultra-ridiculous protective parents/spouse will force them to quit or the players simply quit because they do not have that mentality. I remember Zhao Jian Hua said something about dedication and living badminton.

I agree that there could be side effects, unfortunately, we do not have a better solution unless we use unreasonable and extreme methods like putting players at gun point or torture. :D We'll just have to live with the more acceptable solution for now.

There's always a possibility that some ultra hardcore badminton nut might pop up somehow who happen to have good family nurturing, etc like Tiger Woods in golf. But it is worst than lottery.

that's better now... so im just telling you that im not definite about the singaporean nationality or something... it's just what we think.. you dont tell me better not to think bout it cause we are narrow-minded enuff not to think about the good sides it has

LOL~ thats the spirit man~ we need passion rather than talent:D
I would rather play a passionate lousy player than a pro guy who is cocky and all about show

totally agrees with you mate....:)

Frens all of you are absolutely correct. Passion is all it takes in this game. i play 5 times a day for 3 hours each time since 1962 and i still love the game more than my wife. The chinese are sweeping every miserable trophy cos they have fire and desire in their eyes. Period.

Frens all of you are absolutely correct. Passion is all it takes in this game. i play 5 times a day for 3 hours each time since 1962 and i still love the game more than my wife. The chinese are sweeping every miserable trophy cos they have fire and desire in their eyes. Period.

oh, you probably have to reconsider on what you said bout you love the game more than your wife.. :p she maybe standing behind you when you typed this, cleching her fist or holding a kitchen knife...lol

anyway back to the topic, congrats to Gu Juan for qualifying yet again for the main draw of the SO.

Yup...she has done well to beat Lee Hyun Jin and Lydia Cheah to qualify for the main draw. How old is Gu Juan? She could be the next Li Li....

Singapore knows they can offer anything because there will be no collection !!!:D :D

It is different in Malaysia coz they know there will be LCW, HF, WCH, KBH. Mana boleh tahan ?:D :rolleyes:

My friend, you've not been following our sports scene closely enough. Those who excel in the SEA and Commonwealth Games, though lesser in stature than the Olympics and Asian Games, have had their share of the spoils, particularly the women's table tennis team. A new China import has outshone Ronald Susilo's fiancee by wining the most events, team and individual combined and was rewarded handsomely! And it is expected that more will follow suit! Do you know that Ronald's better half is perhaps worth close to a million sing dollars? :D

Yup...she has done well to beat Lee Hyun Jin and Lydia Cheah to qualify for the main draw. How old is Gu Juan? She could be the next Li Li....

She's 16. Last year when she was 15, she beat Wong Mew Choo!

She's 16. Last year when she was 15, she beat Wong Mew Choo!

She needs to focus more and reduce her unforced errors if she wants to proceed any further! :(

Frens all of you are absolutely correct. Passion is all it takes in this game. i play 5 times a day for 3 hours each time since 1962 and i still love the game more than my wife. The chinese are sweeping every miserable trophy cos they have fire and desire in their eyes. Period.

Does your wife know anything about this? :D

My friend, you've not been following our sports scene closely enough. Those who excel in the SEA and Commonwealth Games, though lesser in stature than the Olympics and Asian Games, have had their share of the spoils, particularly the women's table tennis team. A new China import has outshone Ronald Susilo's fiancee by wining the most events, team and individual combined and was rewarded handsomely! And it is expected that more will follow suit! Do you know that Ronald's better half is perhaps worth close to a million sing dollars? :D

Singapore should attract BCL, Chen Yu or Taufik with the big money not the women players to play for them.

I would not go and see your precious chinese born lady play (and even win). However, if Ronald suddenly become SO champion I would go more often to Singapore.:D ATTACK RONNO !

You are absolutely wrong. The foreign talent scheme's main objective is not to have only foreign talents playing for Singapore, it is to provide more competition. Singaporean players sucks NOT because of a lack of opportunities, but a lack of competition. Do we look like we have no money to send our best players to big tournaments?

The reigning national champion rarely gets threatened in local tournaments and thus will not feel the need to train harder since he will always get the chance to represent Singapore and travel to overseas tournaments. Take a look at those Cheers Championships results, its always those few guys winning locally; the same guys who are perenial punching bags in international tournaments.

China is successful because if you do not do really well, you get dropped from the national team and someone else who is just as good will replace you. Why do you think there are a number of good chinese players going to to France, Germany and Holland?

You simply cannot use coffeeshop theories to look at such issues.

For the better future of Singapore, I would vote to prefer foreign mercenaries than certain narrowminded Singaporeans who tend to think they are everything Singapore only needs and fail to realise that Singapore is built not just by Singaporeans but also by foreign talents throughout all these years; Malaysians, Indonesians, Indians, Chinese, Westerners, etc.

Oh by the way, do not feel too sad if and when you realised that majority of these "foreign mercenaries" actually made more contribution to Singapore than you.

I'm glad you're more open-minded than others. Hope it knocked some sense into those who are just too narrow-minded. :D

Yup...she has done well to beat Lee Hyun Jin and Lydia Cheah to qualify for the main draw. How old is Gu Juan? She could be the next Li Li....

It was Lydia who beat Lee Hyun Jin and then Gu beat Lydia.

Singapore should attract BCL, Chen Yu or Taufik with the big money not the women players to play for them.

I would not go and see your precious chinese born lady play (and even win). However, if Ronald suddenly become SO champion I would go more often to Singapore.:D ATTACK RONNO !

You are asking too much. We've had enough of trouble getting the services of Taufik when he was down and had problems with his own badminton association some years ago. Please don't forget the political sensitivities involved.

Our SBA has its own plans and strategy. They are other aspects to consider as well and not just buying high ranking players off the shelf! If it were that easy, then China will be deprived of its top players in no time! And perhaps the USA will be the world champion. :D

You are asking too much. We've had enough of trouble getting the services of Taufik when he was down and had problems with his own badminton association some years ago. Please don't forget the political sensitivities involved.

Our SBA has its own plans and strategy. They are other aspects to consider as well and not just buying high ranking players off the shelf! If it were that easy, then China will be deprived of its top players in no time! And perhaps the USA will be the world champion. :D

Loh, it is really not that difficult ---- look at how many Chinese players have settled in Australia (I saw Yang Yang and another player in Perth Australia and they are not even playing). It is all a matter of citizenship and a bit of guarantee. If you look at soccer, tell me how many Afro people have settled and playing for European nations.

I don't buy what you said coz it did not make good sense!:p

I'm glad you're more open-minded than others. Hope it knocked some sense into those who are just too narrow-minded. :D

It doesn't mean you are open-minded if u think like that though. And those who think other thing else doesnt mean they are narrow-minded. Do you think that you are way too definite on your ideas n thinking? There's nothing entirely right though.. Even though you disagree with their thoughts, u might said that you disagreed but not saying others narrow-minded.. The way you talk may just cause some flaming war around here... What the hell... i've never been so pissed off in a forum..

urm... ignore what i've said in the last few sentences.. *sweat*