kwun
09-28-2006, 09:16 PM
New Straits Times
Badminton: Last chance for shuttlers
28 Sep 2006
K. M . Boopathy (boopathy@nst.com.my)
THE one gold target remains for the Doha Asian Games and failure to deliver, BA of Malaysia president Datuk Nadzmi Salleh said yesterday, could see several players and coaches dropped from the national team.
Nadzmi, given the support extended, agreed the shuttlers had no business failing in the World Championships which ended in Madrid on Sunday.
The failure prompted the National Sports Council, which had bankrolled almost RM1 million for the World Championships, to ask BAM to explain.
Nadzmi, who met the players and coaches yesterday, said several weaknesses have been identified and BAM and the players must now start working towards ending Malaysia’s 36-year Asian Games gold drought.
Nadzmi also advised the players to move forward instead of blaming line-calls and the actions of China head coach Li Yongbo during Lee Chong Wei’s quarter-final against Bao Chunlai.
"We covered every angle in preparing for the World Championships but our players did not perform to expectations. But I believe they can perform better in the Asian Games and deliver the one gold," said Nadzmi after chairing the coaching and training committee meeting yesterday.
"I’ve told the players to stop giving excuses and show more commitment in their Doha goal. If we fail again, then some of us have to go after the Asian Games and this includes coaches as well as players."
"Based on the coaches’ feedback, lack of communication between the doubles players and also failure to deliver when expected to were the major problems. The players also had difficulty executing their game plan against specific opponents and these are the areas which will have to be worked on.
"We will be sending a letter of explanation to the NSC as requested this week." Chong Wei, the top seed, was expected to reach at least the final but fell to his first defeat in six meeting to Chunlai of China in the last eight while Choong Tan Fook-Lee Wan Wah were bundled out in the third round by Indonesians Markis Kido-Hendra Setiawan.
Despite that, Tan Fook-Wan Wah have been included in the Asian Games squad together with Chan Chong Ming-Koo Kien Keat while third ranked Lin Woon Fui-Fairuzizuan Tazari were dropped although they reached the last eight in Madrid.
National doubles coach Rexy Mainaky said Tan Fook-Wan Wah’s biggest problem is lack of teamwork and this is the aspect they must work on if they are to be successful in Doha.
"Despite their experience, Tan Fook-Wan Wah didn’t play as a team. There must improve their communication after getting a second chance," said Rexy.
"Woon Fui-Fairuzizuan were rattled by line calls and when their service was faulted. This shows their lack of experience and they might not be able to handle the pressure at the Asian Games.
"The death of Chan Chong Ming’s father was unfortunate but I’m optimistic Koo Kien Keat and he will bounce back in Doha."
BAM also named singles players Hafiz Hashim and Roslin Hashim but the surprise was Kuan Beng Hong’s inclusion despite the player’s lack of confidence and a string of poor results since his defeat against Denmark in the Thomas Cup semi-finals in Tokyo in May.
However, Beng Hong’s inclusion was on the assurance of Li Mao who vowed to prepare the player physically and mentally to face the challenge in the Asian Games.
Wong Mew Choo, Julia Wong and Norsyahliza Baharum, doubles pairs Wong Pei Tty-Chin Eei Hui, Joanne Quay-Lim Pek Siah and Ooi Sock Ai were named in the women’s team.
Meanwhile, BAM agreed to Misbun Sidek continuing to train Hafiz separately in Kelana Jaya but suggested more sparring sessions with the national team which is based at Bukit Jalil.
Misbun did not see a reason for joint training as felt his training programme is entirely different to Li Mao’s and sparring sessions are sufficient.
"Hafiz has now fully recovered from a knee injury and I don’t think joint training will make much of a difference," said Misbun.
"He has been showing progress and Hafiz and Roslin will be fully prepared for the Asian Games."
The Asian Games squad — Men: Lee Chong Wei, Hafiz Hashim, Roslin Hashim, Kuan Beng Hong, Choong Tan Fook-Lee Wan Wah, Chan Chong Ming-Koo Kien Keat.
Women: Wong Mew Choo, Julia Wong, Norsyahliza Baharum, Ooi Sock Ai, Wong Pei Tty-Chin Eei Hui, Joanne Quay-Lim Pek Siah.
Badminton: Last chance for shuttlers
28 Sep 2006
K. M . Boopathy (boopathy@nst.com.my)
THE one gold target remains for the Doha Asian Games and failure to deliver, BA of Malaysia president Datuk Nadzmi Salleh said yesterday, could see several players and coaches dropped from the national team.
Nadzmi, given the support extended, agreed the shuttlers had no business failing in the World Championships which ended in Madrid on Sunday.
The failure prompted the National Sports Council, which had bankrolled almost RM1 million for the World Championships, to ask BAM to explain.
Nadzmi, who met the players and coaches yesterday, said several weaknesses have been identified and BAM and the players must now start working towards ending Malaysia’s 36-year Asian Games gold drought.
Nadzmi also advised the players to move forward instead of blaming line-calls and the actions of China head coach Li Yongbo during Lee Chong Wei’s quarter-final against Bao Chunlai.
"We covered every angle in preparing for the World Championships but our players did not perform to expectations. But I believe they can perform better in the Asian Games and deliver the one gold," said Nadzmi after chairing the coaching and training committee meeting yesterday.
"I’ve told the players to stop giving excuses and show more commitment in their Doha goal. If we fail again, then some of us have to go after the Asian Games and this includes coaches as well as players."
"Based on the coaches’ feedback, lack of communication between the doubles players and also failure to deliver when expected to were the major problems. The players also had difficulty executing their game plan against specific opponents and these are the areas which will have to be worked on.
"We will be sending a letter of explanation to the NSC as requested this week." Chong Wei, the top seed, was expected to reach at least the final but fell to his first defeat in six meeting to Chunlai of China in the last eight while Choong Tan Fook-Lee Wan Wah were bundled out in the third round by Indonesians Markis Kido-Hendra Setiawan.
Despite that, Tan Fook-Wan Wah have been included in the Asian Games squad together with Chan Chong Ming-Koo Kien Keat while third ranked Lin Woon Fui-Fairuzizuan Tazari were dropped although they reached the last eight in Madrid.
National doubles coach Rexy Mainaky said Tan Fook-Wan Wah’s biggest problem is lack of teamwork and this is the aspect they must work on if they are to be successful in Doha.
"Despite their experience, Tan Fook-Wan Wah didn’t play as a team. There must improve their communication after getting a second chance," said Rexy.
"Woon Fui-Fairuzizuan were rattled by line calls and when their service was faulted. This shows their lack of experience and they might not be able to handle the pressure at the Asian Games.
"The death of Chan Chong Ming’s father was unfortunate but I’m optimistic Koo Kien Keat and he will bounce back in Doha."
BAM also named singles players Hafiz Hashim and Roslin Hashim but the surprise was Kuan Beng Hong’s inclusion despite the player’s lack of confidence and a string of poor results since his defeat against Denmark in the Thomas Cup semi-finals in Tokyo in May.
However, Beng Hong’s inclusion was on the assurance of Li Mao who vowed to prepare the player physically and mentally to face the challenge in the Asian Games.
Wong Mew Choo, Julia Wong and Norsyahliza Baharum, doubles pairs Wong Pei Tty-Chin Eei Hui, Joanne Quay-Lim Pek Siah and Ooi Sock Ai were named in the women’s team.
Meanwhile, BAM agreed to Misbun Sidek continuing to train Hafiz separately in Kelana Jaya but suggested more sparring sessions with the national team which is based at Bukit Jalil.
Misbun did not see a reason for joint training as felt his training programme is entirely different to Li Mao’s and sparring sessions are sufficient.
"Hafiz has now fully recovered from a knee injury and I don’t think joint training will make much of a difference," said Misbun.
"He has been showing progress and Hafiz and Roslin will be fully prepared for the Asian Games."
The Asian Games squad — Men: Lee Chong Wei, Hafiz Hashim, Roslin Hashim, Kuan Beng Hong, Choong Tan Fook-Lee Wan Wah, Chan Chong Ming-Koo Kien Keat.
Women: Wong Mew Choo, Julia Wong, Norsyahliza Baharum, Ooi Sock Ai, Wong Pei Tty-Chin Eei Hui, Joanne Quay-Lim Pek Siah.