What’s Up and Coming in Malaysia

Tuesday, 21 November 2006
Malaysia is about to send a young team to the Asian Games, instead of elder players with experience, banking on their results shown recently. A hint that Malaysia’s future is in the right path, with a bunch of players knowing at the door. Our reporter Noorul Azrin takes a look at the Malaysian Junior squad just before they are about to start an important Satelitte tournament at home.
Photo : Noorul Azrin. From left to right :Shafiq Jamaluddin, Chong Li Qun, Daren Liew, Lim Kenn, Chong Wei Feng, Beryno Wong, Tan Chun Seang.
The first thing that catches your attention to these young players is their friendly nature. They smile warmly despite looking tired after finishing their gym training a few minutes ago. “It’s okay. This is just normal training”, smiles Tan Chun Seang when asked if they needed a few minutes rest before the interview on Friday afternoon. The lad is soon joined by his fellow teammates.
The Project 2010-2012 Squad of BA of Malaysia was established in March 2005 to prepare for Asian Games 2010, London Olympic 2012 and Commonwealth Games 2010. The players were selected through state-level selection by Malaysia’s national coach, Misbun Sidek. Initially, thirteen men singles players were selected but last August five members were dropped due to lack of performance. The players left are Lim Kenn (20), Chong Wei Feng (19), Liew Daren (19), Tan Chun Seang (20), Chong Li Qun (19) and Beryno Wong (20). Another player, Azrihanif Azahar switched to doubles. One thing is sure : don’t mess with the rules as one player has already put his stay in jeopardy for skipping training sessions !
Rashid Sidek, Malaysia’s former number one is the Chief Coach and is in charge of the Project’s performance. Rosman Razak and Tey Siu Bock currently assist the three-time Malaysia Open Champion. Hard training but joyful spirit
Their days begin at 8.30am for court training in Bukit Kiara and will finish at 11.30am. By 3pm, they will start gym training in National Sports Council at Bukit Jalil and finish at 5pm. Training takes place everyday except on Sundays. They have half-day training sessions on Thursdays and Saturdays. Their favourite routine is sprinting sessions, which that take place every Thursday.
The squad members have to compete with each other in the team; but they are very much united and give full support to each other during tournaments. During this interview, they teased each other and everyone got the opportunity to be their butt of joke. They all laughed when Chong Wei Feng mentioned about Tan Chun Seang’s defeat during Asian Junior Championship 2004, “He was leading 14-3 but eventually lost to his opponent”. Tan Cun Seang just shook his head, showing that he was still frustrated with that particular match. Lim Kenn, Chong Wei Feng and Tan Chun Seang were part of the Malaysia’s team for World Junior Championship 2004 together with Tan Boon Heong and Hoon Thien How who won Boys Doubles title that year.
When asked about their hopes - apart from having future "pretty pretty wives", all said they wish any of them would win tournament titles to show their gratitude to their coaches. Liew Daren won Taiwan Satellite in August 2005. Nevertheless, they wish they could win more titles.Soon in the big world
Citing Peter Gade, Taufik Hidayat, Lin Dan and Malaysia’s Lee Chong Wei as their idols, they yearn for more opportunities to compete in major Open tournaments to expose themselves to these world-class players and hopefully, one day will become one of the world’s best player. Currently, they only compete in Satellite tournaments and selected grand prix events.
Even though they are under pressure of being Malaysia’s next hope in badminton, they all act their age. When we touched the subject of their free time, the young lads began talking excitedly about computer games. They also spend their free time chatting, surfing the internet, shopping and catching up their sleep. Other than badminton, the boys spend their times on other sports too such as football, snooker and bowling.
But hobbies shall wait, as some challenges lie ahead, with head Coach of the Senior team Li Mao who has recently hinted that he could pick some of them to join the elite fairly soon….