Our Badminton Players

[Chia Hak Soon]

What do you all think of our badminton players ? The recent Sudirman Cup shows that other countries are catching up. The win by Lee Chong Wei over China's Lin Dan was splashed over the local press but when I watched it, I thought it was a warming up game for Lin Dan. Our double pair of Khoo kien Keat and Tan Boon Heong was tamed by the chinese pair.

Is it a Fluke shot that they beat their opponents.? The only sport that you feel confident that Malaysia will win is Squash and thanks to Nicol David.

[EricK]

What do you all think of our badminton players ? The recent Sudirman Cup shows that other countries are catching up. The win by Lee Chong Wei over China's Lin Dan was splashed over the local press but when I watched it, I thought it was a warming up game for Lin Dan. Our double pair of Khoo kien Keat and Tan Boon Heong was tamed by the chinese pair.

I guess when you are starved for world champion, we'll take any success no matter how little it is... the real test comes in the next few months.. can Lee maintain his form? I think sucess has gone to the head of Koo and Tan already . hopefully they will make a recovery soon.. but i wouldn't hold my breath for it.. just like Hafiz Hashim.. he had a bright future.. but now...

Is it a Fluke shot that they beat their opponents.? The only sport that you feel confident that Malaysia will win is Squash and thanks to Nicol David.

I disagree.. I might be stiring a hornets nest, but i think Nicol is a fluke. i dont see any juniors taking her place in the near future... You have to admit, she's like those athletes that comes once in a generation... I dont see much success in the current junior ranks... although i must admit the development program is quite systematic...

[flowi]

posted a new thread in sport section but something is wrong somewhere as the content is empty. Anyway, i was one of the forumer who posted congratulatory notes to our doubles pair BUT i am concerned that they are the "typical malaysian sports person" who will fizzle out before they reach the top!! I was quoting that i wish they will look at Nicol and work hard to maintain and stamp their authority at the top level. Too bad, i was wrong again as they can only last for 5 tournaments. They way they played and being thrash ... UNBEARABLE!! even the commentators says that their body language showed as if they dun haf the will to win and they are intimidated! If you have the mind set that u can't win, how on earth will u be able to perform?? KKK's shot making is too fancy and it was the shot that being used while sparing only! It was not pathetic and pityful .. they dun communicate at all and it reminds me of cheah and soo partnership!

Next will be the chapter where they will split them up again and we supporters have to wait for another wonder pair to arise. PEOPLE, look at Nicol, she work and practise hard to maintain her position as the No#1 in the world .. she dun participate in election campaign and she is FOCUS. Just look at her face retrieving shots .... its full of determination and she take pride being no#1. FRUST only lah!! Hafiz is doomed when he won the all England, he had enough. BAM should spend money grooming others the moment he won the All England title. He can't attack and his shot is found only in Kelantan but his net shot is tricky though (statements made out of frustration) ...anyway, with major championship on the way, i can only hope Lee chong wei able to tahan coz Lin Dan is upset and the KKK&TBH, i predict they make it to the quater only. I think the ladies will do well and reach quater or semis coz final is near impossible (but we are getting there).

[sinleong]

i was once a national athlete... and i can tell you that in all human cases, we all have our ups and downs. it certainly does not help when you have to deal with public negative comments about your performance while trying to focus on doing well. no badminton player have never suffered the humiliation of first or second round defeats before. think about it...

i agree that one of the biggest issues facing malaysians is confidence level. not only in sports but everything we do. it is probably the way we are brought up or our culture. that's probably why our overseas based athletes do relatively better because they are taken away from this culture. proper coaching and facilities certainly help but i disagree with some athletes and officials who always blame the government for not supporting them enough as if we the people owe them a living.

there are world champions from all around the world who achieved excellence with their own dedication and money (...or lack of).

in all the games preparation camps that i attended, there are so-called "motivational" speakers. some are ex-athletes who relate their experiences such as Punch Gunalan, Eddie Choong etc... they are very good. sometimes, we have those dodgy "motivational" guys who are contracted to the job.