ixory
07-23-2007, 08:23 PM
'Hafiz-titis’ proving hard to diagnose
K.M. Boopathy
NST online (http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Tuesday/Sport/20070724084602/Article/index_html)
WE have to admit that we have been wrong.
Hafiz Hashim’s problems are not because he continues to train under Misbun Sidek .
Hafiz’ problems are self-caused going by Lee Chong Wei’s return to form.
Chong Wei’s decision to return to Misbun was greeted with incredulity as the national coach has his own way of doing things and many thought that Chong Wei would become another Hafiz.
But that is not the case as Misbun has brought out the hunger in Chong Wei once again and his Indonesia and Philippines Open titles are proof of that.
He was unbeaten in the Sudirman Cup and a semi-finalist in the China Masters — where he stretched current World No 1 Lin Dan to three games.
So why is Hafiz still struggling? Misbun himself is puzzled as to why Hafiz continues to self destruct.
It has to boil down to Hafiz's lackadaisical attitude and his lack of hunger for success, contrary to Chong Wei's recent efforts to prove that he is on the right track to achieve more in his career.
The rise of back-up shuttler Chan Kwong Beng is another example of Misbun's ability as a coach.
The 18-year-old shuttler was deemed a non-starter on the international stage and this prompted Project 2010-2012 head coach Rashid Sidek to seek the help of Misbun to turn around Kwong Beng's career.
Kwong Beng showed marked improvement in less than three months and he has beaten five of the six players in Rashid's squad in satellite tournaments with Tan Chung Seang, the No 1 in the 2010-2012 project, the only to escape. Kwong Beng was ranked outside the top 400 in March but has improved to World No 174 and by virtue of advancing to the third round of the Philippines Open, where he lost to eventual runner-up Chen Hong China, he should improve further.
While Chong Wei, who once struggled against almost every top shuttler, has now reclaimed his reputation as a world class player and is among the three capable of winning the men's singles crown in the World Championships at Putra Stadium on Aug 13-19, Hafiz is destined to suffer another setback in the tournament.
Misbun has not left any stone unturned when it comes to Hafiz and even agreed to the player's wish to get married to long-time girlfriend Nazatul Shima Nadzari in June, hoping that it could turn him into a more serious competitor.
If Hafiz’s defeat to Russian Stanislav Pukhov in the Philippines Open is any indication, there is little others can do to help resurrect his career.
Only he can help himself.
On a brighter note, it is good to see men’s doubles Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong back in winning form as the Philippines Open title was their first in three months.
Credit must be paid to coach Rexy Mainaky for keeping them at home till they proved themselves in training again and, hopefully, the pair deliver in the World Championships as well.
new disease,beware...:p
K.M. Boopathy
NST online (http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Tuesday/Sport/20070724084602/Article/index_html)
WE have to admit that we have been wrong.
Hafiz Hashim’s problems are not because he continues to train under Misbun Sidek .
Hafiz’ problems are self-caused going by Lee Chong Wei’s return to form.
Chong Wei’s decision to return to Misbun was greeted with incredulity as the national coach has his own way of doing things and many thought that Chong Wei would become another Hafiz.
But that is not the case as Misbun has brought out the hunger in Chong Wei once again and his Indonesia and Philippines Open titles are proof of that.
He was unbeaten in the Sudirman Cup and a semi-finalist in the China Masters — where he stretched current World No 1 Lin Dan to three games.
So why is Hafiz still struggling? Misbun himself is puzzled as to why Hafiz continues to self destruct.
It has to boil down to Hafiz's lackadaisical attitude and his lack of hunger for success, contrary to Chong Wei's recent efforts to prove that he is on the right track to achieve more in his career.
The rise of back-up shuttler Chan Kwong Beng is another example of Misbun's ability as a coach.
The 18-year-old shuttler was deemed a non-starter on the international stage and this prompted Project 2010-2012 head coach Rashid Sidek to seek the help of Misbun to turn around Kwong Beng's career.
Kwong Beng showed marked improvement in less than three months and he has beaten five of the six players in Rashid's squad in satellite tournaments with Tan Chung Seang, the No 1 in the 2010-2012 project, the only to escape. Kwong Beng was ranked outside the top 400 in March but has improved to World No 174 and by virtue of advancing to the third round of the Philippines Open, where he lost to eventual runner-up Chen Hong China, he should improve further.
While Chong Wei, who once struggled against almost every top shuttler, has now reclaimed his reputation as a world class player and is among the three capable of winning the men's singles crown in the World Championships at Putra Stadium on Aug 13-19, Hafiz is destined to suffer another setback in the tournament.
Misbun has not left any stone unturned when it comes to Hafiz and even agreed to the player's wish to get married to long-time girlfriend Nazatul Shima Nadzari in June, hoping that it could turn him into a more serious competitor.
If Hafiz’s defeat to Russian Stanislav Pukhov in the Philippines Open is any indication, there is little others can do to help resurrect his career.
Only he can help himself.
On a brighter note, it is good to see men’s doubles Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong back in winning form as the Philippines Open title was their first in three months.
Credit must be paid to coach Rexy Mainaky for keeping them at home till they proved themselves in training again and, hopefully, the pair deliver in the World Championships as well.
new disease,beware...:p