Tsk Tsk, To improve the badminton team he should change his name to Li Yong Bo the arrogant one to achieve more cultural similarity with China. Or maybe Dr. Park Joo Bong the smart,high tech one.
I think is part of our Malaysia culture, letting the whole badminton world knows about what we were doing internally from secret weapon prior to Thomas Cup to listing out poor performance reason after the failure. Is this going to improve anything? Why not just keep this as internal affair instead of public? You would think by now BAM/players know the source of the problem which is we are not as good as what we think in terms of depth. We lost to Japan 2-3 and beat Denmark 3-2 was a clear indication that we are about the same level of these 2 teams, no where close to China. So concentrate on bringing out the youngster and move on, it will be worse if we have the same lineup on the TC2012.
After the players blaming the "CULTURE", now they (only few of them) blame the "hunger to succeed"...??? ========================================================= What went wrong with M'sian quest for the Thomas Cup? By RAJES PAUL KUALA LUMPUR: A lack of fire and hunger to win among the players has been cited as one of the many hurdles faced by the national coaches. Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) president Datuk Nadzmi Mohd Salleh met the national coaches yesterday to get their feedback on what went wrong with the Malaysian team at the Thomas-Uber Cup Finals at home recently. The Thomas Cup squad went down 0-3 to China in the semi-finals while the Uber Cup team crashed 0-3 to Indonesia in the quarter-finals. Nadzmi said that managing the players had to be more specialised and that it was up to the coaches to come up with new, creative and different approaches to keep the senior and back-up shuttlers motivated. “The coaches realised that they will have to manage the seniors and juniors differently. We admit that we have made mistakes by placing the same emphasis on both groups,” said Nadzmi. “The seniors will not need as much guidance from their coaches. They should be able to push themselves to the limit. “Players like (Lee) Chong Wei and Nicol (David, of squash) are highly motivated people. “But the coaches need to spend more time with the back-up shuttlers. “These players are not that mature and the coaches need to shape them up. “We need to support this group to create the hunger in them to win. “Different players have different mental strengths and hunger for titles. Coaches know that they need to look at players individually and set personalised targets.” Nadzmi said that having identified the problems, they would now put their heads together to find the best solutions. “Our coaches highlighted one strength of the Malaysian players - they are more skilful compared to those from China and South Korea. The Malaysians, however, lack power and endurance,” he said. “We know what the problems are. They are related to mental strength and discipline. “It is not that we lack these elements but we can further improve them on. “Now, we have to focus on how we want to improve. “China and South Korea have their own ways but theirs may not be practical for us because of our different culture. “Our coaches have also requested for back-up players to be exposed in major tournaments in a bid to produce mentally stronger players. We will look into it.” Nadzmi later reiterated that the issue of players blaming the media for their failure at the Finals had been blown out of proportion. “Only one or two players blamed the media. It is the players' perception and it does not mean that I agree with them. “But it is still an issue for us (the BAM) to address. Maybe, we can help the players learn how to cope with the pressure from the media and spectators,” he said.
It has long been known since the 1950s that Malaysians, followed slightly behind, the Indonesians, are the most skillful in the game. Indonesia has been very good in mixing up and the use of variation in speed and strokes. But speed and power, as first introduced by the "Thing", seem to neutralise skills alone. But speed and power has a high attrition rate: they retire earlier.
BAM admits it does know what went wrong and now needs a panel of people to tell it what is wrong. This is to take the pressure of itself whilst a period of cooling takes place. Then maybe nothing will happen as before. Clever. I want to be on the panel -- can someone recommend me to BAM. I can set it straight for them on what is wrong. And if they don't need to hear from me, let me say it here. THE PLAYERS ARE NOT PLAYING UP TO EXPECTATIONS - they are wimps. In other words, somebody have to rev them up. If it was the training being weak, let us then ramp up the training. If it was the coach, then let us retrain or sack him. If it was BAM not putting enough policies in place, then let us replace the people at BAM. Sure it is easy to talk like this...you say ? Well let me be the performance manager, I will be tough. It is time to remove players or coach or officials who think they are there to make up the numbers. Tax money is not going to be spent on frivolity any more. Enough is enough. Players who have not perform OUT (don't waste our time supporting you-go find work elsewhere); coaches who have not perform OUT (go to another country please), and officials who just want to attend tournaments free OUT (there the ones who would get the job done). We should have an "OUT" policy if we want to win again.
BAM seek expert's help to find out why our shuttlers fail KUALA LUMPUR: The Badmin-ton Association of Malaysia (BAM) will gather a group of experts on sports to look into the reasons for Malaysia's failure in the recent Thomas-Uber Cup Finals. Yesterday, BAM president Datuk Nadzmi Mohd Salleh said that they would appoint people with good knowledge in the sport to be in the group - a so called the think-tank of badminton. The group will look into the information gathered by Nadzmi from his meetings with the players and coaches. They will analyse the information and come out with recommendation for improvement. “This group will consist of those who knows the business. They can be ex-players and coaches. They will deliberate on what the coaches and players said,” said Nadzmi. “They will be able to see things differently from us (the coaching and training committee). We have to accept their findings - based on evidences. “The truth must prevail although it may be painful.” When asked why the BAM had resorted to the same approach six years ago, Nadzmi said: “We need to try out with various ways. “We are still learning and are still trying. We are not giving up. The methodology is important. “One person is not able to give solutions and maybe, this group of experts can give us some answers.” Malaysia also formed a think-tank group after the Thomas Cup squad crashed out in the quarter-finals in 2004. But the group did not last and none of their recommendation saw the light of day. On an appointment of a high performance manager, Nadzmi said: “This will be ideal. I think, a high performance manager should be conducting a post mortem and not me. But the problem is that we do not have good sports managers in the country.” Yesterday, Nadzmi announced that the BAM would work together with the Sportswriters Association of Malaysia (SAM) as far as relationships between the players and media are concerned. “I would like to put things into perspective. The BAM do not blame the media for the failure at the Thomas-Uber Cup Finals,” he said. The players cited their inability to cope from media pressure as one of the reasons. We believe the media play an important role.” “The BAM can work together with SAM to train our players on how to handle the press. This is a positive collaboration,” added Nadzmi after a joint press conference held by the BAM and SAM at Subang Jaya yesterday.
LCW lost to LD at home is not that he was off form or whatever. LCW is still a very good player. In previous H2H against LD, the matchup are usually 3-setters and tough game between them. IMO, in TC10, MS was simply out coached by The Thing. As LCW said, he just froze not sure where to place the birdie and he never got into his rhythm. Thing has devised a game plan to take out LCW and LD delivered. LCW said it was not the spectators that affect his game, etc but he lost the game himself. LD was playing badly prior to TC10, LYB realized LCW playing at home would be tough to beat and LCW's recent top form in winning SS would carry over plus the important 1st-point for MAS in TC SF, therefore LYB brought out Thing from retirement to be by LD side guiding LD one point at a time, just like Thing did in OLY08. LD followed the script to a T and the result speak for itself. The Thing coaching may be good, but it also needs a brilliant player to execute them. If you look back at previous LD tourneys, even if LD is trailing, he would rub powder on his racket, look away as CHN coach talk but when it comes to the Thing, that is a whole different respect altogether. You really reverse your support and high praise for MAS team to calling them wimps...I really worry about you now As for BAM signing you up for performance manager, that is a good idea, you may be good though...but one thing though, ain't sure BAM can afford you or would you take a raincheck (IOU) and get paid maybe 5-10 years later when BAM has $$$ left over
Agree with you on LCW's loss. I watched it again. He actually played his heart out I noticed. The Thing might have something to do with it. But the other players are mediocre, which is what I am bitching about As for the BAM being able to pay me, I doubt it but I also doubt they would listen to me or anyone in BC. In the coming months, I hope they send only the players worth sending (don't mind the young ones who are out to get experience, e.g. TCS, Shem Wah, Zufaldi, Kwong Beng).
i can see you are serious this time, you have high hope for the malaysian team to win and has built yourself the reputation for giving the highest praise available if you like to be included in the panel, you should contact kenny, the gm. have a heart to heart talk with him and let him assess you and make his recommendation for you. to be inside the panel may not be so difficult, imho but as a performance manager you may need something solid
Anyone has Kenny's no. or email, please PM me. I would not mind donating some time to voice my opinions and provide advice.
otb, your eyes are sharp and how many times you watch the replay? i have already hinted in the earlier post about the thing, no thing lin dan nothing... we all thought the thing went to teach his son in fujian during the china team preparation for tuc and will come to thomas cup only as ambassador but somehow he was called back to coach lin dan and also gave his guidance to the rest of the team. yes, his teaching is effective on lin dan because of the bond they have together, if you watch closely on lin dan's game you can see the game plan taught
Lin Dan had a game plan. And it worked. I thought LCW and Misbun did concoct some Secret Weapon against Lin Dan. But i guess LD played superbly and kinda show off that "i won over your hero" to the homecrowd whom boo him with his Dance. However he was gracious enuff to bow towards the crowd. LCW and Misbun did bonded well together.. it is not an excuse for them to lose. But guess.. Misbun+LCW overlooked on certain matter. Misbun did told me that LinDan played superbly and he was quick and read CW's game like a book.
Both of you must have been watching hundreds of games live and watched many tournaments. LinDan and Cai Yun and Fu Hai Feng skipping SS and peaking for the Thomas Cup vs Lee Chong Wei and Koo/Tan busy chasing prize money in the Super Series , I think the result is obvious, its all in the preparations. Is it possible for a top player to win everything? You win some and lose some, even LD can live with that. Even Xia Xuan Xe had no confidence playing Hendrawan and Chen Hong when playing Taufik at his peak.
I watched LD-LCW TC live (set the clock at the wee hrs) and watched half asleep. Then I watched the download from 'WeAllLoveCP) 2X. LD 'was baaack', came well prepared, fast, fit, top form but one thing he kept looking at the Thing for guidance as the match progressed. If you look at past SS, LD hardly pay attention to XXZ, even LYB or other coach as if to say 'who the heck do you think you are to tell me what to do'. Between game break, you can see LD looking at Thing attentively, not looking away or doing something else like rubbing powder on his racket, drinking water, etc which tells us he respects the man and legend. LD and Thing tandem in TC10 is so similar to OLY08 (I watch maybe 5X) where LD played controlling his emotions as if the Thing was telling him, calm down and focus one point at a time and only after he won the gold then he let his emotions fly. Even the bear hug LD gave Thing you can feel the bond and warm. Whatever the strategy (you may know better than me with a coach's eye) was, LCW cannot even play his game, no answer to LD, undecided where to hit the birdie, playing reaction than anticipating LD shots (i.e. catchup), and after the first set was over, the added pressure that LCW knew he must win the 1st game for MAS to have a chance, he mentally collapsed in the 2nd game and MAS TC hope was over. LYB knew if LD lose the 1st 1st point, that could set the momentum for the rest of the matchup and could give MAS the spark playing at home. The Thing was recalled because of the importance that this tournament is TC (CHN honor is on the line) and also lately LD form was out, not some easily forgetable SS. With the Thing on his side laying out a game plan, proven to work in OLY08, and a brilliant pupil like LD playing on fire and who respected the Thing to execute exactly as told, that is game over. Not the paparazi, not the stadium, not anything, until MS can solve this puzzle, it is tough. That is my take.
Reply to Bbn, I multi-tasked on my laptop....actually, I have a full-time job providing technical engineering advice to government and running my home based consulting engineering firm doing design work for private companies and developers at the same time. I would have make the trip to MAS to see TC and to see my mom if I have not committed to so many private projects with a dateline to deliver by this summer. I worked quite late, long hours and after working in computer for long hours, with upteenth coffee and tea, the mind would be in hyper-drive and hard to shutdown, so I would see badminton video to lull myself to sleep. Through the generousity of BCers to upload so that deprieved souls like us in North America can see world class badminton, I have saved in a separate file some videos that are MUST see, e.g. AE90 final, OLY08 MSF, TC10 LD-LCW, MO06 MSF, 99AE MSF, WC05 MSF, Susi, GZC, etc are some of them, I must have seen AE90 probably 20X and still not get bored. If you have not seen that video, do it and I can bet you would be in awe and have never seen anyone play badminton like that before.
