Saya setuju. We are working on more coaches! “@ManOlimpik: Malaysian junior athletes are just too ‘lembik’ http://t.co/7D7wmHWaNy”
— Khairy Jamaluddin (@Khairykj) June 10, 2014
The benchmark. Can our junior athletes train as hard as Malaysia's world No.1 badminton player, Lee Chong Wei?
“IT IS okay lah. The training is not too bad lah. I will try lah … Wah, so hard lah today.”
These are some of the common statements I hear from our juniors nowadays. It is not only in badminton.
It is the easy-going, laid-back attitude and lack of competitiveness at grassroots level that we have problems producing quality players.
I have travelled quite a bit. After ending my decade-long career with the national team, I went to play in the league in Europe.
It’s different there. The European athletes know what they want. And
they do it with real focus. Even the young ones possess admirable
self-control and show a high level of commitment.
During my time in the national team, we were all single-minded. We used to push each other to the limit.
It was a thriving time – especially in the men’s singles. There were established players like Ong Ewe Hock and Yong Hock Kin being pushed by my batch like Mohd Roslin Hashim, James Chua, Lee Tsuen Seng, Sairul Amar Ayob, Ismail Saman, Jason Wong. Below us, Mohd Hafiz Hashim and Lee Chong Wei were snapping at our heels.
There was a healthy competition. We may be good friends, but we kept each other on our toes.
Now, our players are satisfied with mediocrity. When you’re involved in sports, you should have the competitive edge and spirit.
Many things, however, are compromised these days.
They are happy producing low quality work in training. They are happy when they miss one or two days of training to catch a movie or hang out with friends. They are happy if they lose easily to their team-mates.
Maybe, that’s the reason why we are struggling to find successors for some sports – like a replacement for Chong Wei in badminton or Nicol David in squash. I believe it’s the same in other sports, too.
It is not because we lack the players – it is because we lack the quality and character in them.
We cannot solve this problem at the top because it is too late. It has to be dealt with – from the bottom.
There are a few challenges at the state and lower levels and I would like to highlight a few. I think we seriously lack good coaches. I call it the congestion problem – too many players but too few quality coaches.
It is because of this that some of the players at the lower level do not get the attention and guidance needed to excel. They are physically strong but lacking the skills.
It is like creating an army of players. They are all strong and mighty but without in-depth knowledge on how to strategise when they are under attack.
The quality is already being compromised and diluted at the base. Just imagine what you have when they move up the ladder.
On top of that, youngsters of this generation have to deal with so many other distractions, too. They are being bombarded with 24-hour fun and entertainment via all their cool gadgets. If they’re not monitored, all is lost and we don’t have their attention, interest, devotion and commitment.
Both the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Sports can work together to churn out more quality coaches. And these coaches must also be good educators and role models who are willing to go the extra mile to make the juniors complete players.
Then, there is a problem with facilities, too. We have a big pool of players but do not have enough facilities to support them? Can you imagine having 40 to 50 players at state level with just one or two coaches and a few courts?
The intake of badminton players into the Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) is about 10-12 players a year – half of them boys and the other half girls. This is not enough.
How many of them are going to survive the system?
During my time, 10 boys and 10 girls were selected into the academy every year.
And I strongly believe that coaches must be fair to their players – whether it is at the state or national level.
If a player is not good enough, the coaches must be honest to inform them or give them another option. One should not be given false hope.
I can go on talking more, but I strongly believe that all the stakeholders have a role to play to ensure that we have continuity of quality players coming through.
If everyone from the bottom to the top level is united by a common goal, we should get it right, If not, we just have to wait lah!
These are some of the common statements I hear from our juniors nowadays. It is not only in badminton.
It is the easy-going, laid-back attitude and lack of competitiveness at grassroots level that we have problems producing quality players.
I have travelled quite a bit. After ending my decade-long career with the national team, I went to play in the league in Europe.
During my time in the national team, we were all single-minded. We used to push each other to the limit.
It was a thriving time – especially in the men’s singles. There were established players like Ong Ewe Hock and Yong Hock Kin being pushed by my batch like Mohd Roslin Hashim, James Chua, Lee Tsuen Seng, Sairul Amar Ayob, Ismail Saman, Jason Wong. Below us, Mohd Hafiz Hashim and Lee Chong Wei were snapping at our heels.
Tulisan yang baik dari bekas bintang badminton negara, Wong Choong Hann. Saya amat setuju dengan pandangan... http://t.co/QWEjyoAEah
— Khairy Jamaluddin (@Khairykj) June 10, 2014
There was a healthy competition. We may be good friends, but we kept each other on our toes.
Now, our players are satisfied with mediocrity. When you’re involved in sports, you should have the competitive edge and spirit.
Many things, however, are compromised these days.
They are happy producing low quality work in training. They are happy when they miss one or two days of training to catch a movie or hang out with friends. They are happy if they lose easily to their team-mates.
Maybe, that’s the reason why we are struggling to find successors for some sports – like a replacement for Chong Wei in badminton or Nicol David in squash. I believe it’s the same in other sports, too.
It is not because we lack the players – it is because we lack the quality and character in them.
We cannot solve this problem at the top because it is too late. It has to be dealt with – from the bottom.
There are a few challenges at the state and lower levels and I would like to highlight a few. I think we seriously lack good coaches. I call it the congestion problem – too many players but too few quality coaches.
It is because of this that some of the players at the lower level do not get the attention and guidance needed to excel. They are physically strong but lacking the skills.
It is like creating an army of players. They are all strong and mighty but without in-depth knowledge on how to strategise when they are under attack.
The quality is already being compromised and diluted at the base. Just imagine what you have when they move up the ladder.
On top of that, youngsters of this generation have to deal with so many other distractions, too. They are being bombarded with 24-hour fun and entertainment via all their cool gadgets. If they’re not monitored, all is lost and we don’t have their attention, interest, devotion and commitment.
Both the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Sports can work together to churn out more quality coaches. And these coaches must also be good educators and role models who are willing to go the extra mile to make the juniors complete players.
Then, there is a problem with facilities, too. We have a big pool of players but do not have enough facilities to support them? Can you imagine having 40 to 50 players at state level with just one or two coaches and a few courts?
The intake of badminton players into the Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) is about 10-12 players a year – half of them boys and the other half girls. This is not enough.
How many of them are going to survive the system?
During my time, 10 boys and 10 girls were selected into the academy every year.
And I strongly believe that coaches must be fair to their players – whether it is at the state or national level.
If a player is not good enough, the coaches must be honest to inform them or give them another option. One should not be given false hope.
I can go on talking more, but I strongly believe that all the stakeholders have a role to play to ensure that we have continuity of quality players coming through.
If everyone from the bottom to the top level is united by a common goal, we should get it right, If not, we just have to wait lah!
by Wong Choong Hann - The Star
Can Ministry of Youth and Sports find out HOW MANY YOUNGSTERS ASPIRE TO BE LEE CHONG WEI? versus to be successful business person (er rich), entertainment personalities?
ReplyDeleteIf the aspiration is not there, no amount of coaching, facilities will help much.
If the aspiration is there, pls ask their parents/guidian if they will support theur child's intention.
Then, work from the group who have both answers "ticked". I believe we should focus on with group only if the circumstances do not allow an all inclusive training.
Those who later cannot be nurtured to be world class athletes, can be trained to be good knowledgeable coaches.
well said WCH. its true. semua ni kena mula dari awal.. inspiration from coaches also importants. kadang2, coach just doing it for the sake of money.. as extra income.. they need to train and motivates as well... banyak perkara but cant blame ministry also.. individu must play part.. hopefully we can change our sports..
DeleteI can see patriotism and determination in LCW when he playing for Malaysia. It's shame for Harimau Malaya (football team) because they are playing for a fame. They such love to have a superstar lifestyle and smoking habit which not good for an athlete. Look, when LCW loses, Malaysian keep encourage him and not going to bash him. Because he really deserved it. LCW, the best icon of 1Malaysia
ReplyDeleteWell said Choong Hann!
ReplyDeleteI would say there is too much distraction in our young athletes. gadjet, fame, girls.. some reality show like soccer kids n mencari ramli is good. but the fame element will ruin their career.. Patriotism should be the main propriety.. all the best malaysian young athletes..
ReplyDeleteI would say there is too much distraction in our young athletes. gadjet, fame, girls.. some reality show like soccer kids n mencari ramli is good. but the fame element will ruin their career.. Patriotism should be the main propriety.. all the best malaysian young athletes..
ReplyDeleteI would say there is too much distraction in our young athletes. gadjet, fame, girls.. some reality show like soccer kids n mencari ramli is good. but the fame element will ruin their career.. Patriotism should be the main propriety.. all the best malaysian young athletes..
ReplyDeleteI would say there is too much distraction in our young athletes. gadjet, fame, girls.. some reality show like soccer kids n mencari ramli is good. but the fame element will ruin their career.. Patriotism should be the main propriety.. all the best malaysian young athletes..
ReplyDeletelololol
ReplyDeleteIni govt Malaysia punya pasal...sesiapa yang ingin jadi macam LCW (Lee Chong Wei) kena banyak mesra dengan FLOM (FAT LADY OF MSIA) Rosmah....sampai kena cium pipi, kena peluk, kena hidu bau ketiak Rosmah...siapa lah yang ingin jadi hamba abdi FLOM Rosmah....rakyat muda Malaysia tak ingin lah.....lololol
ReplyDeleteAlo Annoymous! Jgn jadi mcm kaldai cacat boleh tak! Ko kenal ke Rosmah tu yg nak mengata mcm ko mmg kenal dia. Hya sb org lain keluarkan ayat2 yg tak elok camtu, ko pon nk ikot! Kalu mak, bini, or kakak ko org tohmah camtu; ko suka ke?
DeleteAlo Annoymous! Jgn jadi mcm kaldai cacat boleh tak! Ko kenal ke Rosmah tu yg nak mengata mcm ko mmg kenal dia. Hya sb org lain keluarkan ayat2 yg tak elok camtu, ko pon nk ikot! Kalu mak, bini, or kakak ko org tohmah camtu; ko suka ke?
Delete