Gold target still there

BA of Malaysia (BAM) secretary Ng Chin Chai has confirmed that the association's one gold target in the Olympics remains but has assured Lee Chong Wei that the pressure is not on him alone to work towards the objective in London.

Mixed pair Chan Peng Soon (left) and Goh Liu Ying have the potential to go for Olympic gold, according to BA of Malaysia secretary Ng Chin Chai.

Chin Chai said BAM's target was set two years ago and nothing has changed despite Chong Wei's ankle injury as he feels that men's doubles Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong or mixed pair Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying have what it takes to battle for gold in London.
The only player who could be out of her depth is women's singles Tee Jing Yi who is unlikely to get past the group stage. "The target is still one gold. BAM is not going to change that because it was set two years ago and every player, not Chong Wei alone, must try hard to achieve it. We can't put too much pressure on Chong Wei," said Chin Chai.
"Kien Keat-Boon Heong and Peng Soon-Liu Ying also have a chance. As for Chong Wei, we can prepare him but it will be entirely up to him on how well he can perform in London."
Chong Wei, who is happy with the rate of recovery over the last four weeks, said the injury is a blessing in disguise as his main rivals will be in the dark regarding his progress after missing several tournaments the last two months.
Chong Wei also lost his World No 1 ranking last week after holding it for three years and 11 months but the Malaysian said there is less pressure as he goes into the tournament ranked behind major rival Lin Dan of China.
"My rivals are unsure of my progress and keeping them guessing will only help my cause," said Chong Wei at Juara Stadium.

"Before the last Olympics, I beat Lin Dan in the Thomas Cup and everyone started seeing me as a gold medal prospect for the Beijing Olympics. Three months later, Lin Dan came back strongly to beat me in the final.
"With the injury, the pressure will not be on me. I am just focused on my progress and I am confident I will recover fully soon."
Chong Wei added: "There is not much difference between the world's top two so it has not affected my confidence (losing the No 1 ranking). The priority is the Olympics and not the ranking right now.
"Different players have different strengths so it is hard to compare players. Even if I don't win in London, I will continue playing until 2014 where I want to go for the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games gold and there is also next year's World Championships."
Lin Dan is set to retire after the London Olympics while Chong Wei's fortunes over the next two years will depend on how well he keeps himself in shape.
Courtesy of New Straits Times

Doubles pair focus on service and service return ahead of Olympics

National men’s doubles duo Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong are focusing on their service and service returns to kick-start their stalling hopes ahead of the London Olympics badminton tournament from July 27-Aug 5.
Yesterday, national coach Pang Cheh Chang said that their poor grip in this area had resulted in Kien Keat-Boon Heong being easy targets for their higher ranked opponents in recent tournaments.
In the Indonesia Open, the duo were sent packing 15-21, 11-21 by the towering Mathias Boe-Carsten Mogensen of Denmark in the semi-finals and their lack of sting – especially at the front court – was evident.
Cheh Chang gave a positive review of Kien Keat-Boon Heong’s preparations, expressing confidence in their medal prospects in London.
“We can’t rule them out. They did play badly at one point but are making a comeback now. They still have a chance and we are looking at ways to strengthen their game,” said Cheh Chang.
“The quality of their service and service returns had dropped and we are working on beefing up these aspects of their game.
“If they improve in this area, they will be on par with the top pairs.”
Cheh Chang said both his players were physically in better condition.
“Their attack is much sharper and they don’t go too deep into defence as in past. There are positive changes in their game.”
Kien Keat-Boon Heong, currently ranked eighth in the world, have not won a tournament for some time. There will have to be a drastic transformation if they are to make an impact in London.
Besides Kien Keat-Boon Heong, 15 other pairs have qualified for the Olympic men’s doubles event. They will be divided into four groups with the top two proceeding to the knockout stage.
Courtesy of The Star

Chong Wei percaya ada rahmat

CHONG WEI menganggap kecederaan yang menimpanya memberi kelebihan kepadanya dalam menghadapi Sukan Olimpik London bulan depan.

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JAGUH badminton negara, Datuk Lee Chong Wei mengakui memiliki kelebihan menjelang temasya Sukan Olimpik di London bulan depan.
Menurutnya, kecederaan yang dialaminya memberi ruang kepadanya untuk berehat panjang.
Chong Wei mengalami kecederaan ketika menentang pemain Denmark, Peter Hoeg Gade pada aksi terakhir Kumpulan C Kejohanan Piala Thomas di Wuhan, China, Mei lalu.
Meskipun beliau akui cabaran yang dihadapinya pada tahun ini lebih sukar jika dibandingkan dengan Olimpik 2008, namun jaguh negara itu tetap menerimanya dengan hati yang terbuka.
“Saya masih ada tempoh sebulan lagi sebelum bermulanya Sukan Olimpik dan kecederaan yang saya alami sudah ada menunjukkan perubahan pada setiap minggu.
“Mungkin ada baiknya saya mengalami kecederaan ini kerana saya tidak rasa begitu tertekan ketika menjalani latihan dan mengharapkan yang terbaik pada temasya Olimpik kelak.
“Saya tidak boleh nafikan yang saya juga masih fobia dan rasa takut (ketika berlatih), namun saya perlu menguatkan mental dalam waktu sebulan ini,” katanya.
Bagaimanapun, Chong Wei optimis musibah yang dihadapinya ketika direhatkan dan terlepas beberapa kejohanan seperti Siri Super Premier Terbuka Indonesia dan Terbuka Singapura baru-baru ini tidak menutup peluangnya untuk membawa pulang pingat dari London.
“Dua bulan tanpa kejohanan juga memberi kelebihan kepada saya kerana mungkin pada kejohanan tersebut saya akan mengubah taktik permainan saya.
“Malah, para pencabar pun tidak dapat menganggarkan corak permainan saya pada Sukan Olimpik nanti,” jelas Chong Wei.
Chong Wei yang sekadar merangkul pingat perak selepas tewas kepada pemain No. 1 dunia, Lin Dan pada aksi final Sukan Olimpik Beijing 2008 yakin beliau mampu mencipta kejayaan yang lebih baik tahun ini.
“Empat tahun lepas saya menewaskan Lin Dan pada aksi Piala Thomas dan saya tidak sangka pada cabaran Olimpik dia dapat beraksi dengan sangat baik,” tambahnya.
Sementara itu, Chong Wei turut memberitahu, kedudukan rankingnya kini yang berada di tangga kedua juga tidak menjejaskan semangat- nya untuk memburu kejayaan di London.
“Bagi saya ranking hanya angka sahaja dan saya berharap ia tidak akan mengganggu konsentrasi saya untuk membuat persiapan ke Olimpik tahun ini.
“Perkara yang paling sukar bagi saya ialah untuk mengekalkan ranking pertama di dunia. Tetapi saya tidak akan memikirkannya kerana fokus saya hanya mahu memberikan yang terbaik pada Olimpik nanti.”

Shuttler Liu Ying vows to make amends at London Games

Goh Liu Ying is probably Malaysia’s most successful woman shuttler right now but, yesterday, disappointment was written all over her face after returning home without any titles to show from the back-to-back Indonesia and Singapore Opens.
The 21-year-old Liu Ying had allowed inconsistency to creep back into her game and it was something she is not proud of just before the London Olympics from July 27-Aug 12.
Liu Ying went through a roller coaster ride with her mixed doubles partner Chan Peng Soon – crashing out in the second round in Jakarta and losing in the semi-finals in Singapore. The duo had a good chance to appear in their first Super Series final in Singapore but failed to rise to the occasion against the beatable Cheng Hung-ling-Cheng Wen-hsing of Taiwan.
With just few weeks to shape up before the Olympics, Liu Ying has vowed to get cracking.
“Peng Soon and I wanted so badly to do well in the Singapore Open, which is our last tournament before the Olympics but our performances were bad,” admitted Liu Ying. “I made a lot mistakes. At this stage, we should be more patient and solid in our game. It was the same old problem as we were too eager to shut out our opponents.
“We need to improve on our consistency. Our condition is also not up to the mark but we have a few more weeks to work on this. It’s important to get the tournament feeling right before the Games,” she said.
Two years ago, Liu Ying and Peng Soon were not even close to qualification but now, they have made the cut for their first Olympics as the world’s No. 8 ranked pair.
Mixed doubles used to be considered the weakest event in Malaysian badminton because the women players did not measure up but Liu Ying has changed that perception.
Over the past two years, she has shown maturity and quality in her game and is considered one of the most outstanding players at the front court in a mixed doubles pairing.
She has won three titles with Peng Soon – the 2010 Asian Badminton Championships, Bitburger German Open in 2011 and the Malaysian Open Grand Prix Gold this year – and the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) even consider them as potential medal winners in London.
Liu Ying said they had a chance to go far in the Olympics.
“Peng Soon and I have come a long way and we have the confidence to challenge the other pairs. Sometimes we play so well but sometimes, we don’t. Hopefully, our good side will surface in London,” she added.
Except for world No. 1 Zhang Nan-Zhao Yunlei of China and Indonesia’s formidable Ahmad Tantowi-Lilyana Natsir, the Malaysian pair have beaten all the others ranked higher than them.
Barring injuries, they certainly have an outside to challenge for at least a bronze medal and that, to Malaysia, would be an achievement indeed.
Courtesy of The Star

Thien How has two months to improve physical condition

Two months without any competition is a perfect time for men’s doubles shuttler Hoon Thien How to slim down.
Yesterday, the tubby Thien How and his partner Tan Wee Kiong returned home after a rather satisfying outing in the Indonesia and Singapore Opens to show that their new partnership has a future.
In Indonesia, the world No. 57 duo did well to knock out Indonesia’s top pair Mohd Ahsan-Bona Septano en route to a last eight finish.
In Singapore, they gave eventual champions Markis Kido-Hendra Setiawan of Indonesia a good fight before going down in the rubber in the second round.
The 25-year-old Thien How, who stands at 1.7m and weighs over 80kg, agrees that he could perform better if he was in a better physical shape.
“Wee Kiong and I played reasonably well and showed good combination on court but I know that we can go even further,” said Thien How.
“I need to improve on my physical condition. I need to lose weight so that I can move swiftly and, more importantly, can last longer on court.
“My coaches and my physical trainer (Sean Sturgess) have identified my weaknesses. Wee Kiong and I are not one of the pairs selected to spar with the team for the Olympic Games. I will have about two months to seriously focus on my physical training programme.”
It will be a great achievement for the duo if they can break into the top 30 by the end of the year.
Currently, Thien How-Wee Kiong are the fifth ranked pair in the country based on the world rankings.
The top four are Olympic Games-bound Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong (6th), Vountus Indra Mawan-Mohd Lutfi Zaim Abdul Khalid (43rd), Mohd Zakry Abdul Latif-Mohd Fairuzizuan Mohd Tazari (30th) and Lim Khim Wah-Goh V Shem (26th). The others below them are Teo Ee Yi-Nelson Heg Wei Keat (74), Gan Teik Chai-Ong Soon Hock (90th), Chooi Kah Ming-Ow Yao Han (101st), Chan Peng Soon-Ong Jian Guo (106th).
National doubles chief coach Tan Kim Her said he would continue to monitor the performances of Vountus-Lutfi. Although ranked higher than the newcomers Ee Yi-Nelson and Kah Ming-Yao Han, the duo were not sent for the Singapore Open.
Kim Her said he had listed the duo for the Indonesia International Challenge from July 2-7 and it would serve as a test to decide their future in the team. Vountus-Lutfi’s best achievement in the last one year was their semi-final finish at the Osaka International Challenge.
On the progress of Kien Keat-Boon Heong, Kim Her said: “The back-up shuttlers are providing good quality sparring for them. Khim Wah-V Shem will accompany them for the centralised training in Bath when the Olympic squad leave on July 12.”
Courtesy of The Star

Schenk flies European flag, Ponsana finds home advantage

Never was an emotional moment on a badminton court as vivid as when Juliane Schenk sank to her knees after winning the women’s singles final of the Li Ning Singapore Open 2012.

Schenk (pictured right) has been in three OSIM BWF World Superseries finals before this, and for a 29-year-old with nearly a decade in the senior circuit, her first World Superseries title win had taken a long time coming.
In fact, it has been over two years since a women's singles Worls Superseries title is won by a European.
And how difficult her opponent Chen Shao Chieh made it for her! Schenk’s speed and power helped her impose herself upon Cheng Shao Chieh and hustled her into making errors. The 21-11 first game bore no sign of the struggle the second would become.
The second game was a physically grueling encounter and as tense a thriller as one was likely to witness – a 9-0 comeback run by Cheng after she was trailing 10-15 to lead 19-15, then three game points saved by the German, and then four match points saved by Cheng again.
As Cheng found her rhythm, her game took on a different dimension and causing both players to drag across the extremities of the court for close to an hour. The range of Cheng’s strokes was breathtaking at times, helping her befuddle Schenk with her deception and unpredictable strokeplay.
The German, for her part, kept in the game by her sheer athleticism. She had played three three-set matches coming into the final, and the physical toll had probably begun to tell. The two went neck-and-neck, and as the game wore on, Schenk seemed to be flagging, and the German played a couple of tired strokes that found Cheng 20-17 ahead.
Each point from then became a tense contest. Schenk saved the three game points, and earned four match points – each time Cheng conjured a winner, until finally, Schenk caught her with a tight net shot, and the Taipei girl’s weak return saw the German sink to her knees and cried – tears probably of relief at the end to the agony.
The men’s singles title went to another veteran – Boonsak Ponsana, who at 30, outwitted his much-younger opponent from China. This was only Ponsana’s second World Superseries title, both won in Singapore, and his win denied Wang Zhengming the opportunity to record his first.
This win confirms the Thai’s good run in Singapore, where he has entered the final four times and winning it twice, is not a mere fluke. To which the Thai has often credited his sturdy fan base in the city state of Singapore for his success.
In this year’s final, Ponsana (pictured right) played a smart game to outwit Zhengming. The Chinese 22-year-old was devastating when he got his opportunity to unleash the smash, but for the most part Ponsana worked the net game, disallowing Zhengming the freedom to unleash his attacking side. The second game was tight all the way, and the two remained within a point of each other.
Eventually, the greater experience of the Thai and the “home” advantage made all the difference, as he capitalized on an error from Zhengming and nailed the final on his first match point.
In other matches of the day, China’s Bao Yixin and Zhong Qianxin overpowered Chinese Taipei’s Cheng Wen Hsing and Chien Yu Chin 21-12 21-17, though Cheng Wen Hsing then teamed up with Chen Hung Ling to win a gold for Taipei and an OSIM uDivine massage chair for herself following their 21-17 21-11 victory in the mixed doubles.
2008 Olympic champions Markis Kido and Hendra Setiawan (pictured left) made an emphatic return to form by taking the men’s doubles over Ko Sung Hyun and Yoo Yeon Seong 21-11 26-24.
All the winners in Singapore are from different countries, just as it had happened at the Djarum Indonesia Open last week

Singapore Open: Peng Soon, Liu Ying in last four

MIXED doubles Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying's tune-up for the London Olympics next month received a boost when they stormed into the semi-finals of the Singapore Open super series with another solid performance yesterday.
Peng Soon-Liu Ying, the World No 8, defeated South Korea's Yoo Yeon Seong-Jang Ye Na 21-13, 22-20 in 33 minutes.
They will play Taiwan's second seeds Chen Hung Ling-Cheng Wen Hsing, who beat V. Diju-Jwala Gutta of India 13-21, 21-14, 21-17, in the last four today.
It is their third semi-final in a super series event after the Malaysia Open and All England but making the final would give Peng Soon-Liu Ying a boost ahead of the Olympics where they have an outside chance for a medal.
However, it was not meant to be Liew Daren's day as his attempt to achieve his first super series semi-final appearance was halted by Nguyen Tien Minh of Vietnam who secured a 14-21, 21-11, 21-13 triumph in 56 minutes.
In another quarter-final clash, Chong Wei Feng lost 21-12, 22-20 to China's Wang Zhengming.
Men's doubles Goh V Shem-Lim Khim Wah also found the going tough against Olympic champions Markis Kido-Hendra Setiawan of Indonesia, suffering a 21-18 21-17 defeat in 33 minutes.
Courtesy of New Straits Times

Coach: Drop in ranking from number one not affecting Chong Wei

Shuttler Lee Chong Wei’s fall from the world No. 1 spot may have come at the wrong time but national coach Tey Seu Bock does not want to see it as a tell-tale sign of a decline.
On Thursday, Chong Wei’s four-year reign as world No. 1 ended when four-time world champion Lin Dan of China assumed the spot on the latest world rankings released by the World Badminton Federation.
Chong Wei is recovering from an ankle injury picked up at the Thomas Cup Finals in Wuhan last month and the drop in ranking is inevitable as he had skipped last week’s Indonesian Open and the ongoing Singapore Open.
“Chong Wei was the Indonesian Open champion last year and naturally he lost ranking points for skipping it. We knew the consequences when we withdrew him from the tournament. This, however, will not affect his seeding at the London Games as he will still be the top seed,” said Seu Bock.
The seeding is based on the May 3 world rankings.
“Yes, maybe it is not timely to lose his world number one status now but it will not in any way affect his preparations. A good player is one who is able to deflect all the distractions that are beyond his control and focus on himself. And for now, Chong Wei is doing exactly this,” Seu Bock added.
Courtesy of The Star

Yet another title shot for Juliane Schenk

Two months ago, Juliane Schenk was within sight of her dream of winning her maiden OSIM BWF World Superseries title when she led Li Xuerui by a game in the Yonex-Sunrise India Open final but was eventually denied.

The German had to be content with the runner-up spot, as she had in several earlier tournaments, and leaving Tine Baun's 2010 All-England victory as the last time an European had won a World Superseries women's singles title.
On Sunday in Singapore, Schenk (pictured right) will have yet another chance to contest in a World Superseries final – the Li Ning Singapore Open 2012. This time, it will be Chinese Taipei’s Cheng Shao Chieh who will attempt to thwart the German armywoman’s moment of glory.
Schenk was taken the distance on Saturday by the third-seeded Sung Ji Hyun in their semifinal. The Korean had an even record going into the match at three wins in six encounters, and matched Schenk for much of the match before the German powered past her in the third.
Schenk had it relatively easy in the first game, but the second turned out to be a neck-and-neck affair with neither gaining the decisive advantage. Eventually, Sung Ji Hyun nosed ahead at 19-17, but Schenk took three points in a row and had match point. The Korean refused to buckle and in turn won the next three points to take the match to a decider, which was Schenk’s all the way.
She will meet Cheng Shao Chieh, who won an odd contest against local hope Xing Aiying, 23-21 21-7. The Singaporean staged a wonderful comeback from 16-19, and held two game points, but once Cheng saved both and won the first game, her challenge folded in the second.
It was in fact a good day for Chinese Taipei, as they entered two other finals as well. In the mixed, Chen Hung Ling/ Cheng Wen Hsing overcame MalaysiansChan Peng Soon/ Liu Ying Goh 21-16 21-13 in half-an-hour. They will be up against fourth seeds Shintaro Ikeda/ Reiko Shiota who scored an equally easy win over compatriots Shoji Sato/ Shizuka Matsuo.
Cheng Wen Hsing later teamed up with Chien Yu Chin to beat Indonesians Greysia Polii / Meiliana Jauhari (pictured left) in a close contest in the women’s doubles. Facing them in the final will be China’s Bao Yixin / Zhong Qianxin, who weren’t troubled by the Japanese pair of Miyuki Maeda / Satoko Suetsuna in the other semifinal.
Perhaps the most awaited match of the day was the semifinal between two former World Junior Champions, Wang Zhengming and Viktor Axelsen. The Dane was looking in tremendous form as he ousted Sony Dwi Kuncoro in the quarterfinals, but on Saturday, Zhengming proved more than a match for him. He outplayed Axelsen in all departments of the game to record a comfortable 21-13 21-14 victory, which took just 40 minutes.
Zhengming’s opponent in the final will be the Thai veteran Boonsak Ponsana (pictured right), who won a long and tight contest against Vietnam’s Nguyen Tien Minh. Nguyen, down by a game and 9-14, managed to extend the contest to the third game, where he pushed Ponsana all the way before falling 21-19 and granting Ponsana his fourth Singapore Open final appearance.
The men’s doubles will see former World Champions Markis Kido/ Hendra Setiawan take on second-seeded Koreans Ko Sung Hyun / Yoo Yeon Seong.

Top seed ‘Axe’d!

The first round of the 2012 Li Ning Singapore Open saw top-seeded Sho Sasaki crashed to his third straight first-round loss, falling in three games to Denmark prodigy Viktor Axelsen.

Sho Sasaki hasn’t had a happy time over the last few months. This year has been a story of inconsistent performances from the world No.6 Japanese left-hander.
Following first round losses at the Yonex-Sunrise India Open and the Djarum Indonesia Open, Sasaki must be feeling a long way away from a successful 2011, when he was a dangerous prospect even for the likes of Lin Dan and Chen Jin.
On Wednesday, he was outplayed in the first game, recovered to neutralize the deficit, but then was blown away 21-10 in the third by the lanky and hard-hitting Axelsen (pictured right).
Apart from Sasaki, the 2012 Li Ning Singapore Open had another high-profile early loser: Taufik Hidayat. The maverick Indonesian was off-colour in a straight-games loss to Chong Wei Feng of Malaysia – Taufik’s second first-round defeat this year since the Victor Korea Open in January.
There was a reversal of fortunes from last week’s Indonesia Open – comeback man Sony Dwi Kuncoro avenged his loss to Du Pengyu (pictured left) with a straight-games victory, but another show-stealer from the Indonesia Open, India’s P Kashyap, could not carry on with that momentum as he was beaten by second seed Lee Hyun Il 21-18 21-12.
In contrast to the men, the women’s singles saw no upsets. No.2 seed Juliane Schenk (pictured right) cruised past Thailand’s Salakjit Ponsana 21-15 21-15 and set up a second round clash against China’s unheralded Chen Xiao Jia, who overcame India’s talented teen PV Sindhu quite easily, 21-16 21-12. Bulgaria’s Olympic-bound Petya Nedelcheva was stretched to the limit by Lindaweni Fanetri of Indonesia, and eventually prevailed 22-20 in the third game.
The absence of a full draw in the doubles events meant that several seeded pairs received “bye” into the second round. Though Indonesia’s mixed doubles pair of Fran Kurniawan and Shendy Irawati will progress straight to the quarter-finals as their second round opponents Tontowi Ahmad and Lilyana Natsir, runners-up at Indonesia last week, had withdrawn from this leg of the 2012 OSIM BWF World Superseries in the last hour.
India’s V Diju and Jwala Gutta, who will then be amongst the favourites to go all the way in this event, beat Indonesia’s brother-sister duo Markis Kido and sister Pia Bernadet, who had troubled Tontowi and Lilayana in Indonesia last week.
Results of the first round of the 2012 Li Ning Si

Singapore Open: Wei Feng upsets Indonesia’s Taufik

It was a glorious day for second echelon players Chong Wei Feng (pic) of Malaysia and Viktor Axelsen of Denmark in the opening round of the Singapore Open as they stunned the big guns.
Wei Feng defeated seventh seed Taufik Hidayat of Indonesia for the first time in six years with a 21-17, 21-19 win in 36 minutes to march into the second round. It was the biggest win of his career.

Wei Feng had previously failed to steal even one game from the former Olympic and world champion, losing in straight games at the 2008 Hong Kong Open and the 2011 Indonesia Open Grand Prix Gold.
World No. 37 Wei Feng will take on Hu Yun of Hong Kong today and has vowed to keep the Malaysian flag flying.
“It’s a surprise but I believe that my good net play made the difference in my first win over Taufik,” said Wei Feng, whose previous big scalp was Chen Jin of China in the 2008 India Open.
“I played without pressure and was able to raise my game. I want to go far in this tournament and, hopefully, will be able to exact revenge over Hu Yun. I lost to him at the Australian Open once before,” he added.
National singles chief coach Rashid Sidek said: “I’m very happy with Wei Feng’s performance. He played confidently, challenged Taufik with a fast-paced game and a lot of attacking. His control at the net was exceptionally good.
“It’s hard to predict Wei Feng’s form as he’s inconsistent. Let’s hope he will keep up the momentum.”
Wei Feng was joined by Liew Daren in the second round.
The country’s third ranked player did well to oust Alamsyah Yunus of Indonesia 21-9, 24-22 and will now have a chance to show that his win over Lee Hyun-il of South Korea at the All-England quarter-finals was not a fluke.
But veteran Mohd Hafiz Hashim ran out of steam after a brilliant start, succumbing 21-10, 14-21, 18-21 to Thailand’s Boonsak Ponsana in the opening round.
Like Wei Feng, Denmark’s Axelsen also did his country proud when he dumped top seed Sho Sasaki of Japan 21-10, 15-21, 21-12 to set up a meeting against India’s Anand Pawar.
It was also a good day for former world junior champions Ow Yao Han-Chooi Kah Ming as they stunned world No. 20 Ingo Kindervater-Johannes Schoettler of Germany 21-14, 10-21, 21-13. They will take on Japan’s Hiroyuki Endo-Kenichi Hayakawa, who defeated reigning world junior champions Nelson Heg Wei Keat-Teo Ee Yi 21-16, 21-15.
The other Malaysian pairs through to the second round are Hoon Thien How-Tan Wee Kiong, Lim Khim Wah-Goh V Shem and Mak Hee Chun-Teo Kok Siang. They take on Indonesia’s Markis Kido-Hendra Setiawan, Japanese Naoki Kawamae-Shoji Sato and China Hong Wei-Shen Ye respectively.
Malaysia’s challenge is also alive in the women’s doubles through Chow Mei Kuan-Lee Meng Yean but it could end today as the juniors take on top seeds Mizuki Fujii-Reika Kakiiwa of Japan next.
Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying and Tan Aik Quan-Lai Pei Jing stayed in the hunt in the mixed doubles.
Courtesy of The Star

Chong Wei Optimis

Having kept his silence for the past three weeks since suffering the horrific ankle injury at the Thomas Cup. Lee Chong Wei opened up to the Malaysian media when he faced a barrage of questions at the Stadium Juara after training and physiotherapy.

Utmost on the mind of the media was his recovery and his state of preparation for the Olympics, which will commence in five weeks time.

"It has been a harrowing time ever since I suffered the injury. The first thing on my mind was there goes my Olympic dream. I realised that in order to play and perform at the Olympics I would need somewhat a miracle plus dedication and determination to overcome my predicament," said Chong Wei.

"In a way I am blessed that so many Malaysians prayed and offered encouragement to me and for that I am grateful as the messages of support and even offers to treat me kept pouring in.

"I have been concentrating on getting the ankle better through various conditioning training and I admit that it is still painful especially movement on the court.

"I have started court training last week but not at full pace, that is something I expect to do next week. But work on my endurance has commenced and I do track training under the supervision of my Physio and coach."

Chong Wei added that he was looking forward to the training stint in Bath University as that will allow him to fully focus on his preparation for the London Olympics.

On the change of format adopted by the World Badminton Federation, where the singles competition will see players playing in group matches before proceeding to the knock-out stage, Chong Wei had this to say;

"This is my third Olympic and I find it strange that a change of format was introduced. Having said that I guess it is fortunate since I suffered this injury and the group matches will allow me to gauge my condition and allow me to get used to the conditions.

Chong Wei hampir berputus asa

CHONG WEI menandatangani borang penyertaan ke Sukan Olimpik 2012 selepas sidang akhbar bagi menjelaskan perkembangannya di Stadium Juara, Bukit Kiara, Kuala Lumpur semalam.

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JAGUH badminton negara, Datuk Lee Chong Wei mengakui yang beliau pernah berasa berputus asa dan mahu melupakan aksi pada temasya Sukan Olimpik 2012 di London bulan depan.
Chong Wei berkata, segala-galanya berpunca daripada kecederaan serius di bahagian buku lali kanan yang dialaminya ketika beraksi pada kempen Piala Thomas 2012 di Wuhan, China bulan lalu.
"Tidak ada siapa yang tahu sejauh mana tahap kesakitan yang saya rasakan selepas mengalami kecederaan ini. Hanya saya yang mengetahui apa yang saya lalui.
"Ada suatu ketika apabila saya duduk di tepi gelanggang selepas selesai menjalani latihan, saya berasa berputus asa dan tidak mahu beraksi pada Sukan Olimpik.
"Situasi ini memang terlalu sukar buat saya," kata Chong Wei ketika sidang akhbar bagi menjelaskan perkembangan mengenai proses pemulihan terhadap kecederaan yang dialaminya di Stadium Juara, Bukit Kiara, Kuala Lumpur semalam.
Pada Mac lalu, Chong Wei turut menerima tamparan hebat selepas dia gagal mempertahankan kejuaraan Seluruh England apabila terpaksa menarik diri ketika aksi final menentang seteru utamanya dari China, Lin Dan ekoran mengalami masalah kecederaan di bahagian bahu.
Bagaimanapun, pemain berusia 30 tahun itu menjelaskan bahawa dia tidak mempunyai pilihan lain selain meletakkan kepentingan negara sebagai keutamaan dalam misi memburu pingat emas pada Sukan Olimpik 2012.
Jelasnya, dia perlu 'berperang' dengan psikologi diri sendiri selain kuat dari aspek mental bagi melakukan persiapan tatkala kurang sebulan sahaja lagi temasya berprestij dunia itu membuka tirainya.
"Saya terpaksa mengharungi jadual latihan yang padat. Pada hari Isnin, Rabu dan Jumaat saya ada tiga sesi latihan sehari dan ini memang sukar buat saya, apatah lagi masih belum pulih sepenuhnya.
"Letih memang letih tetapi apa yang boleh saya buat. Saya perlu juga menghadapinya kerana Sukan Olimpik sudah semakin hampir.
"Saya perlu fokus dan yakin dengan diri sendiri. Saya tahu rakyat Malaysia semua bimbang dengan kecederaan saya ini tetapi saya berjanji akan memberikan aksi terbaik pada Sukan Olimpik nanti.
"Bukan mudah untuk beraksi dalam kejohanan besar seperti Sukan Olimpik. Seperti yang saya katakan, mental kena kuat. Ini adalah tanggungjawab saya kepada negara," jelas Chong Wei.
Tambahnya, dia akan menyertai latihan fasa terakhir skuad badminton negara sebagai persiapan ke Sukan Olimpik 2012 di Universiti Bath, United Kingdom bermula 12 Julai

Badminton Persahabatan PNBC-Yamagata Malaysia

Perlawanan persahabatan di antara Kelab Badminton Putra Nilai (PNBC) dan Yamagata Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., telah diadakan pada 15 Jun 2012, di Dewan Taman Desa Melati, bermula jam 8.15 malam yang lalu. Sebanyak 5 beregu dipilih dalam perlawanan persahabatan kali ini. Berikut adalah pasangan beregu yang mewakili PNBC:

1. Helmie-Meor
2. Rozali-Zakaria
3. Azman-Alwi
4. Muhlis-Zahari
5. Meor-Rozali

Perlawanan berkesudahan dengan kemenangan kepada PNBC 3 - 2 Yamagata. Pun begitu, perlawaanan untuk beregu keenam dan ketujuh adalah lebih kepada memenuhi kuota kehadiran ahli PNBC (yang terlewat tiba) dan keputusan tidak rasmi, PNBC 4:3 Yamagata....tahniah kepada semua!!!

Beregu Utama Negara Kandas

KIEN KEAT (kiri) dan Boon Heong gagal melayakkan diri ke final Siri Super Premier Terbuka Indonesia selepas tewas kepada Mathias Boe-Carsten Mogensen semalam.

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BEREGU utama negara, Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong terkandas pada aksi separuh akhir Siri Super Premier Terbuka Indonesia di Stadium Istora Senayan, Jakarta semalam.
Kien Keat-Boon Heong yang beraksi cemerlang pada perlawanan-perlawanan sebelum ini tewas 15-21, 11-21 dalam tempoh 36 minit kepada jaguh badminton dari Denmark, Mathias Boe-Carsten Mogensen.
Kekalahan ini adalah yang ketiga berturut-turut buat beregu negara yang menduduki ranking kelapan dunia ini kepada Mathias Boe-Carsten Mogensen (ketiga dunia) sejak ditewaskan pada Kejohanan Seluruh England 2011 di Birmingham, London.
Malah, aksi yang hambar itu turut mencacatkan persediaan kem negara yang sedang membuat persiapan bagi menghadapi aksi yang lebih berprestij pada tahun ini iaitu temasya Sukan Olimpik 2012 di London yang akan membuka tirai pada 27 Julai depan.
Ketua jurulatih beregu negara, Tan Kim Her akui taktikal yang dipamerkan oleh Mathias Boe-Carsten Mogensen telah mengikat pergerakan anak-anak buahnya itu.
“Saya lihat Denmark mengawal perlawanan tadi (semalam) tetapi kemaraan Kien Keat-Boon Heong ke separuh akhir telah mencapai sasaran,” katanya ketika dihubungi Kosmo! semalam.
Bagaimanapun, Kim Her berasakan keyakinan yang dipamerkan gandingan utama negara pada kejohanan terakhir sebelum menghadapi cabaran penting di London semakin bertambah baik.
Ini kerana pasangan tersebut berjaya menebus kembali kekalahan kepada beregu Indonesia, Angga Pratama-Ryan Agung Saputra yang sebelum ini menewaskan mereka pada kejohanan Terbuka India di New Delhi, April lalu.
“Kekecewaan yang dialami selepas tewas pada Piala Thomas, Mei lalu semakin dapat dilupakan. Malah, Kien-Keat-Boon Heong juga berjaya menewaskan beregu Indonesia pada pusingan pertama.
“Namun, apa-apa pun boleh berlaku kepada mereka dalam tempoh yang singkat sebelum bermulanya Olimpik, kerana keutamaan sebenar hanya tertumpu kepada Olimpik,” jelasnya.
Malah, Kim Her turut memberitahu, tempoh 41 hari sebelum bermulanya Sukan Olimpik akan digunakan untuk memperbaiki taktik permainan skuad negara.
“Dalam tempoh yang ada ini dan undian Sukan Olimpik pun masih belum keluar, jadi kami akan memberikan tumpuan untuk mencari taktik yang lebih baik untuk menandingi beregu dari China, Korea Selatan dan Denmark.
“Keyakinan sudah semakin pulih, jadi tumpuan mungkin boleh diberikan kepada taktikal, fizikal dan mental kerana setiap pencabar tersebut mempamerkan gaya permainan yang berbeza,” ujarnya.

Indonesia Open: Kien Keat-Boon Heong fall tamely to Danish pair

Malaysia’s interest in the Indonesian Open Badminton Super Series Premier ended when Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong crashed out in the semi-finals with a limp display against Danish pair Carsten Morgensen-Mathias Boe.
After cruising into the last four, Kien Keat-Boon Heong finally came up against their first real test.
But the pair, who also lost tamely to the world No. 4 Danes in the World Superseries Finals last December, put up a similar disappointing effort to lose at 15-21, 11-21. Questions will once again be raised over their ability to win an Olympic medal.
Kien Keat, in particular, should be disappointed with his effort as he sat too deep in defence and allowed Boe to dominate the net.
The experienced Danes roared to an 11-6 lead in the first game as Kien Keat-Boon Heong looked simply uncomfortable and extended their lead to 17-12 before winning 21-15.
In the second game, Morgensen-Boe powered to an 11-4 lead before extending it further to 17-8.
They only allowed Kien Keat-Boon Heong another three points before sealing their first ever final appearance in the Indonesian Open with a score of 21-11 in just 35 minutes.
Courtesy of The Star

Saina and Sony reign supreme in Thailand

India’s Saina Nehwal and Indonesia’s Sony Dwi Kuncoro emerged victorious in the SCG Thailand Open on Sunday to walk away with the women’s and men’s singles crown.

Saina (left), lived up to her billing as the top seed with a brilliant come from behind victory over second seed and three-time world junior champion Ratchanok Inthanon while three-time Asian champion Sony, grabbed his first title in a long while by beating unknown Chinese youngster Yuekun Chen.
Saina, who also won the Swiss Open earlier this year, was given a scare by the 17-year-old Ratchanok, who was aiming for her first home title.
Ratchanok took the first game 21-19 but Saina’s experience began to tell and the Indian ace, who will be hoping to upset the odds in the Olympics later this year, came storming back to level the match 21-15.
She was in complete control in the decider and eventually ran away with it 21-10 to close out the 65-minute match.
Sony, meanwhile, put two years of hell firmly behind him by grabbing the title by beating his Chinese rival.
Sony has battled a catalogue of injuries this past 24 months and many had even written off the former Olympic bronze medallist and former World Championship runner-up.
Still only 27, Sony is currently ranked 65 in the world but vowed during the Axiata Cup in April to do all he can to climb his way back to the top.
He took the first step towards that journey on Saturday when he stunned four-time world champion Lin Dan in the semi-finals and on Sunday crushed Yuekun Chen 21-17, 21-14 to claim the title.

Sony stuns Lin Dan

It was a long time coming, but Sony Dwi Kuncoro finally tasted victory over Lin Dan after a gap of nine years.

The Indonesian’s stunning 21-17, 21-16 victory over the four-time world champion in the semi-finals of the SCG Thailand Open on Saturday snapped a nine-match losing streak against the Chinese superstar to bring their head-to-head to 9-2 in favour of Lin Dan.
The only previous time Sony (left), had defeated Lin Dan was at the 2003 Malaysia Open and since then, it has been one-way traffic.
Sony, who has suffered a catalogue of injuries in the last 24 months, will now take on unseeded Chinese youngster Yuekun Chen, who defeated compatriot Gao Huan 21-14, 21-15 in the other semi-final.
Despite Lin Dan’s stunning loss, China are still on course to dominate the tournament as they can potentially win four out of the five titles at stake in this Grand Prix Gold tournament.
The only final without a Chinese representative is the women’s title decider where top seed Saina Nehwal (below), will face second seed and three-time world junior champion Ratchanok Inthanon.
Saina prevented an all-Thailand final by beating third seed Porntip Buranaprasertsuk 24-22, 21-11 in 42 minutes. Ratchanok kept calm against 2010 world champion Wang Lin, taking the Chinese star out in straight games, winning 21-13, 21-19 in 38 minutes.
Wang Lin, who suffered a horrific knee injury just months after winning her world title, is still struggling to make her way up the world rankings and from No.1 in 2010, is currently ranked 105.
There was also another upset in the mixed doubles as Jiaming Tao-Tang Jinhua stunned top seeds Joachim Fischer Nielsen-Christinna Pedersen in straight games.
The unseeded Chinese duo only needed 38 minutes to beat the Danes 21-16, 21-17. They will now play second seeds Sudket Prapakamol-Saralee Thoungthongkam, who beat Singapore’s Danny Bawa Chrisnanta-Vanessa Neo 21-13, 22-20.
Saralee will also feature in the women’s doubles final after she and Lam Narissapat stunned top seeds Huan Xia-Tang Jinhua 21-15, 22-20. Their opponents in Sunday’s final are Cheng Shu-Pan Pan, who defeated Thailand’s Duanganong Aroonkesorn-Kunchala Voravichitchaikul 21-15, 21-17.
In the men’s doubles, Liu Xiaolong-Qiu Zihan will face Malaysians Mohd Zakry Abdul Latif-Mohd Fairuzizuan Mohd Tazari for the gold medal.

The cosmopolitan city of Shenzhen was recommended to the Badminton World Federation (BWF) as the host city for the 2012 BWF World Superseries Finals, and has been officially accepted by the BWF after assessing its suitability for the prestigious season-ending event.

In 2011, an agreement was reached with the Chinese Badminton Association (CBA) to host the World Superseries Finals in 2011 and 2012. The CBA had then opened the host city application within China and have in recent years received a spike in applications to host BWF-sanctioned badminton competitions, reflecting the successful nationwide development of the sport in China.
The 2012 Li Ning BWF World Superseries Finals attracted the strongest playing field and in turn drew the biggest crowd attendance of the competition since the inception of the series in 2007.
“We understand that the current uncertain economic climate in the western part of the world has made it more challenging for many to host major events, while China is not only in a favourable position but also offer a strong and sturdy fan base for the sport to remain confident in garnering local support to stage major events,” said Director of Chinese badminton and Badminton World Federation Vice-President Liu Fengyan at the 2012 Thomas & Uber Cup Finals in Wuhan.
In the first year of this World Superseries Finals host agreement, “City of the Dragons” Liuzhou was awarded the hosting rights. In the second year, Shenzhen, which has recently hosted the 2011 Summer Universiade was a favourite choice with its good venue infrastructure on offer, global accessibility for players, officials and fans, and boasts of excellent climate in December.
Situated in the Guangdong province, just south of Dongguan and Guangzhou where badminton is dubbed the “city sport”, Shenzhen is one of the most modern Chinese cities with stunning city skylines having attracted an influx of foreigners and foreign investments in the last few decades.
“We believe that Shenzhen is an excellent choice to host the 2012 season-ending tournament for the sport’s commercial series,” said BWF Secretary General Thomas Lund, “as what the city represents aligns with the new BWF brand as the BWF have in 2012 also rebranded to stand for modernity, efficiency and strength, and we are only pleased that Shenzhen carries that flavour.”
The 2012 BWF World Superseries Finals will be held from 12-16 December at the China Resources Shenzhen Bay Sports Center.
As the finale for the OSIM BWF World Superseries, the top eight qualifiers in each of the men’s and women’s singles, men’s and women’s doubles and mixed doubles disciplines (with a quota of two players or pairs per country for each discipline) on the World Superseries standings will stand to fight for a handsome share of the USD500,000 prize money.

Selvaraj: Focus on 2016 project squad

FORMER international Datuk James Selvaraj believes the 2016 project squad should be given primary focus in order to mount a strong challenge in the next Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

The project squad should have a team of singles and doubles players who should train and compete in tournaments together while players who are not shortlisted should be attached to the senior squad.

BAM has identified Misbun Ramdan Misbun, Goh Soon Huat, Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin and Zulfadli Zulkifli, should he decide to join the national team, while Chooi Kah Ming-Ow Yao Han and Nelson Heg-Teo Ee Yi have been shortlisted for the doubles.

Selvaraj, who is a member of BAM's high performance committee, said a concentrated effort should help the project squad members progress faster and also battle for places with the senior shuttlers in major events.

"The 2016 project squad is the way to look forward as BAM is now looking for strategies to identify and nurture future world beaters. The squad should comprise singles and doubles players with a chief coach and his assistants to run a comprehensive four-year programme for them," said Selvaraj.

"Hendrawan has been working with the back-up singles players and has the ability to coordinate the programme. There are also several promising doubles pairs who can become quality internationals if they are placed in the project squad.

"A team of 12 players with six singles and three doubles will be ideal but the number can be accommodated based on the players available.

"The project squad players must train and play in tournaments as a team. They should be sent for grand prix tournaments as a start and should gradually progress to play in the super series and premier super series at the later stages of the four-year programme.

"The senior squad should be managed separately by a different set of coaches and a trial can be held to select the best for the major events."

BAM has stated on several occasions on the formation of the project squad but it is not expected to be launched until after the London Olympics next month.

Hendrawan looks to be a good choice to head the project squad while Tan Kim Her, who handles most of the back-up pairs, should also be roped in as the doubles coach.

Besides the two back-up pairs, Gov V Shem-Lim Khim Wah and Mak Hee Chun-Teo Kok Siang, who are still below 23, can also be considered for the project squad.

The rest of the senior players should continue training under Rashid Sidek and Tey Seu Bock while Pang Cheh Chang should continue coaching the doubles.

Selvaraj had also proposed to have talent scouting nationwide to beef up the national junior programme at Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) when he was appointed as high performance director in 2010 but it never took off for various reasons.

However, BAM has now realised badminton's revival must start from the grassroots and is expected to embark on a development programme at the State level soon.

This will create a quality pool at BJSS and eventually produce players who can be nurtured into the world beaters when they graduate to the national senior team.

Courtesy of New Straits Times

BWF unveil new format for 2014 Thomas-Uber Cup Finals

The Badminton World Federation (BWF) have un­veiled a new format for the next Thomas and Uber Cup Finals, doing away with the regional qua­lifying tournament and increa­sing the number of teams from 12 to 16.
The qualifying competition received much criticism this year as hosts China, who did not need to compete in the tournament, participated in order to let their players gain valuable Olympic qualifying points.
In its place, the BWF have decided to implement qualification based on world rankings, with a minimum of three teams from Europe and Asia respectively, while the highest placed team from the Pan Am, Oceania and Africa region will be given a guaranteed ticket to the tournaments.
If the hosts are also the Cup holders, the additional place will be filled according to the team world rankings, which will be based on the rankings of the singles and doubles players.
These changes mean that Malay­sia, who are significantly lagging behind in terms of team rankings, may receive an easier passage to the Finals, provided world No. 1 Lee Chong Wei is still in the mix.
“Team events are fundamentally a reflection of the depth in development of the sport in each country and moving from a regional knock-out qualification process to world ranking determination will give our member associations an opportunity to adopt a long term development strategy,” said BWF deputy president and events committee chairman Paisan Rangsikitpho.
“This shift will also cement the Thomas and Uber Cups as an elite showcase of nations who have effortlessly nurtured their talents with a focus on sustainable development.”
The other change implemented will see the number of teams in­creased from the current 12 to 16 by the next tournament in 2014.
The 16 teams will be divided into four groups led by the Cup holders, hosts and the highest placed teams according to world rankings and quota regulations.
“This is a two-fold strategy because we believe the sport is ready to be taken to a new level of global exposure and we want to bring the highest quality competition to the audience,” said BWF secretary general Thomas Lund.
The decision to reformat was first taken at the BWF council last December and finalised during the council meetings in Wuhan, China, recently. The detailed new competiton regulations will be submitted to the council in December.
Courtesy of The Star

'Chong Wei boleh atasi masalah dengan baik'

CHONG Wei terus diundang dugaan dalam persiapannya menghadapi Sukan Olimpik 2012.

“DIA (Datuk Lee Chong Wei) boleh mengatasi masalah ini dengan baik.”
Demikian jelas jurulatih perseorangan badminton negara, Tey Seu Bock ketika diminta mengulas mengenai situasi terbaharu yang dialami pemain perseorangan No. 1 dunia itu.
Terdahulu, Chong Wei menerima tamparan hebat dalam persiapan menghadapi temasya Sukan Olimpik 2012 di London bulan depan apabila dikejutkan dengan berita bapanya, Lee Ah Chai, 59, cuba membunuh diri di Jambatan Pulau Pinang kelmarin.
Meskipun mengakui bahawa situasi tersebut sedikit sebanyak mampu menjejaskan persiapan Chong Wei, Seu Bock tetap yakin anak didiknya itu mampu menangani segala masalah yang dihadapinya dengan baik.
“Perkara ini merupakan masalah peribadi Chong Wei kerana ia melibatkan hal keluarga. Jadi, berilah dia ruang untuk menyelesaikan masalah tersebut.
“Saya pun belum berjumpa dengan Chong Wei lagi selepas peristiwa yang menimpa bapanya itu. Kali terakhir ketika sesi latihan Sabtu lalu.
“Jadi, biarlah dia selesaikan dahulu masalahnya itu. Sebaik selesai semuanya, saya percaya dia akan kembali fokus untuk beraksi pada Sukan Olimpik,” kata Seu Bock ketika dihubungi Kosmo! semalam.
Menurut Seu Bock, apa yang paling penting buat pemain No. 1 dunia itu ialah kekal positif mengenai peluang untuk membawa pulang pingat emas pertama buat kontinjen Malaysia di bumi London nanti.
“Saya mahu dia anggap ini semua dugaan yang perlu dihadapinya dalam usaha untuk meraih pingat emas Sukan Olimpik.
“Memang situasi yang dialaminya ketika ini mampu menjejaskan persia- pannya tetapi peluang tetap ada.
“Tidak ada yang mustahil buat Chong Wei dan dia perlu menganggap ada hikmah di sebalik segala dugaan yang dihadapinya,” jelas Seu Bock.
Berita mengenai bapanya cuba untuk membunuh diri kelmarin merupakan dugaan kali ketiga yang dialami Chong Wei sepanjang persiapannya menghadapi Sukan Olimpik 2012.
Pada Mac lalu, dia gagal mempertahankan kejuaraan Seluruh England apabila terpaksa menarik diri ketika aksi final menentang seteru utamanya dari China, Lin Dan ekoran mengalami masalah kecederaan di bahagian bahu.
Ini diikuti kecederaan buku lali kanan yang dialaminya ketika menentang Peter Hoeg Gade dari Denmark pada kempen Piala Thomas 2012 di Wuhan, China bulan lalu.
Chong Wei kini dalam proses pemulihan daripada kecederaan buku lali itu bagi membolehkan dia beraksi pada Sukan Olimpik 2012.

Projek 2016 agenda BAM

PROJEK 2016 semakin kerap dilaungkan, apakah ia bakal menjadi alasan terbaru Persatuan Badminton Malaysia (BAM) selepas bintang harapan emas Olimpik London, Datuk Lee Chong Wei semakin malap atau ia satu keazaman yang sebenar, semuanya dapat dilihat selepas Sukan Olimpik berakhir Ogos depan.

Bekas Ketua Pengarah Prestasi Tinggi (HPD) yang kini menjadi ahli Pasukan Prestasi Tinggi (HPT), Datuk James Selvaraj menegaskan bahawa Projek 2016 pasti akan membuahkan hasil andai mengikut perancangan program yang sudah diatur.

“BAM memang meletakkan sasaran untuk membangunkan Projek 2016, iaitu program empat tahun yang terdiri daripada pemain muda sebagai pemain berkelas dunia akan datang. Namun jaminan kejayaannya hanya jika BAM meneruskan program seperti yang sudah saya sediakan,” kata James yang berada dalam HPT bersama Lt (B) AJ Wong yang dipengerusikan Setiausaha Kehormat BAM, Ng Chin Chai.

James berkata, cadangan yang dikemukakan beliau itu menamakan jurulatih pelapis Hendrawan sebagai ketua untuk memastikan kejayaan Piala Thomas dan Olimpik 2016.

“Hendrawan orang paling sesuai. Lihat saja apa yang dilakukannya ke atas Misbun Ramdan Misbun dan Goh Soon Huat. Dua pemain ini bertambah bagus.

“Sekarang, pemain yang berada dalam Projek 2016 inilah yang harus diberi keutamaan mendapat pendedahan kejohanan antarabangsa.

“Mereka tidak boleh dipisahkan baik di pindah kepada jurulatih lain mahupun dihantar di kejohanan berbeza. Tapi perlu faham bahawa Projek 2016 tidak mengekang penyertaan pemain lain seperti Datuk Lee Chong Wei, Liew Daren atau lain-lain. Mereka akan terus menyertai kejohanan seperti biasa, mewakili negara di kejohanan-kejohanan utama, cuma pendedahan lebih kepada Projek 2016.” Setakat ini seramai lapan pemain berada dalam Projek 2016 iaitu Misbun Ramdan Misbun, 21, Iskandar Zulkarnain, 21, Loh Wei Sheng, 20, dan Zulfadli Zulkifli, 19, (KLRC) bagi acara perseorangan lelaki manakala beregu pula terdiri daripada Ow Yao Han, 20, Chooi Kah Ming, 21, Teo Ee Yi, 19, dan Nelson Heg, 19.

Beberapa hari lalu, bekas presiden BAM Tan Sri Elyas Omar sekali lagi menyelar badan induk badminton itu dengan mengatakan tiada program yang betul serta enggan menerima kritikan, namun dalam akhbar semalam, Datuk Seri Mohd Nadzmi Salleh mendakwa pihaknya sedia menerima cadangan daripada mana-mana pihak.

Harapan yang tinggal kini hanyalah sejauh mana keterbukaan BAM dalam menerima cadangan atau mereka sekadar mahu menerima dan menggunakan akal yang mendatangkan kerosakan dalam persatuan itu dalam tempoh dua tahun kebelakangan ini.

Easy for Lin Dan

Four-time world champion Lin Dan made up for his absence from last year’s tournament to cruise into the third round of the SCG Thailand Open on Wednesday.

The Chinese superstar (right), skipped the Grand Prix Gold event 12 months ago and gave his fans a scare before securing back-to-back victories to move into the third round.

After a sluggish start against South Korean qualifier Ha Young Woong Ha, Lin Dan, who is aiming to win his second Olympic gold medal in London later this year, worked his magic and eventually won 19-21, 21-8, 21-15.

He was more clinical in the second round, taking out India’s K. Srikanth 21-11, 21-13 to set-up a meeting with 15^th seeded Thai Suppanyu Avihingsanon, who ousted Indonesia’s Dharma Alrie Guna 21-17, 21-16, and Malaysia’s Loh Wei Sheng 21-17, 21-11, in his opening two matches.

Super Dan is the only recognisable Chinese player in the draw with defending champion Chen Long and the rest of the victorious Thomas Cup champions getting ready for next week’s Indonesia Open.

In the women’s competition, top seed Saina Nehwal of India (left), will face a tough second round opponent in China’s Li Han after they both survived tough opening round matches.

Saina was taken to the limit by Thailand’s Nichaon Jindapon before winning 21-13, 16-21, 21-15, while Li Han edged Indonesia’s Desi Hera 21-18, 21-15.

Also through to the second round is second seed and three-time world junior champion Ratchanok Inthanon of Thailand who crushed Malaysia’s Lim Yin Fun 21-5, 21-14.

In the mixed doubles, top seeds Joachim Fischer Nielsen-Christinna Pedersen, whom many see as Europe’s best win for an Olympic gold in London, began their campaign by ousting South Korea’s Kim Ki Jung-Kim So Young 21-15, 22-20.

They will now meet qualifiers Lukhi Apri Nugroho-Annisa Saufika in the second round. The Indonesians defeated unseeded South Korean pair Kang Ji Wook-Lee So Hee 21-17, 21-15.    

Second seeds and home favourites Sudket Prapakamol-Saralee Thoungthongkam had to come back from a first game deficit before beating Indonesia’s Hafiz Faisal-Pia Zebadiah Bernadeth 14-21, 21-15, 21-16.

BAM president Nadzmi defends his record

Datuk Seri Nadzmi Salleh

DATUK Seri Nadzmi Salleh  is willing to accept criticism for Malaysia's failure in the Thomas Cup  but strongly refutes Tan Sri Elyas Omar's claims that he has been sleeping on his job as the president of the BA of Malaysia (BAM).

Elyas, BAM president in 1985-1992, blasted Nadzmi on Tuesday for not utilising the funds received by the association to build a strong players' base which had led to another failure in the Thomas Cup.

"It is not right to say that we have been sleeping on our job just because we failed in the Thomas Cup," said Nadzmi yesterday.

"These factors should also be seen as a yardstick to gauge my leadership since 2000. We have created three World No 1 players in Lee Chong Wei, Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong and Wong Pei Tty-Chin Eei Hui.

"We are very disappointed with the failure in the Thomas Cup despite our efforts, but we have to look forward. We had the best training facilities and gave the players enough exposure in tournaments but if the players don't have the drive to become successful like Chong Wei, what can the association do?

"The Thomas Cup is important but we also have the London Olympics to focus on. We are mindful that we have won the Thomas Cup on five occasions but we have never won an Olympic gold and have focused on that major goal."

Elyas also questioned the lack of focus on development and felt that academies are the best way to nurture talent.

He said a complete overhaul in the management structure, training programme and development was needed to revive the nation's fortunes in badminton.

Nadzmi said BAM has always welcomed suggestions from all quarters are welcome as the association is focused on continuous improvement.

"We have about 70 players at the Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) and with the national back-up and elite teams, about 150 players receive full-time training and all the attention needed to become quality players. In 2011, the players were sent for 43 international tournaments with each player competing in a minimum eight tournaments," said Nadzmi.

"We have also created the 2016 programme geared towards winning gold in the Olympics in Rio (de Janeiro) where players like Misbun Ramdan Misbun and doubles Teo Ee Yi-Nelson Heg are already showing potential.

"The programme should see an impact in 2014 where the players should start producing qualify results if they want to be successful in 2016. We should also have a strong Thomas Cup squad then."

Courtesy of New Straits Times

'Badminton negara tenat'

BAM kurang memberi penekanan kepada program pembangunan ketika negara ketandusan pemain berwibawa - Elyas Omar.

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SUKAN badminton negara berada dalam keadaan kritikal. Demikian jelas bekas Presiden Persatuan Badminton Malaysia (BAM), Tan Sri Elyas Omar semalam.
Elyas berkata, BAM perlu melakukan transformasi secara menyeluruh bagi meletakkan semula Malaysia sebagai kuasa besar dalam sukan badminton dunia.
Katanya, pucuk pimpinan dalam BAM juga perlu dirombak termasuklah kedudukan presiden badan induk itu, Datuk Seri Nadzmi Mohd. Salleh.
"Suatu ketika dahulu, kita berada dalam kelompok tiga negara yang mendominasi sukan badminton dunia selain China dan Indonesia.
"Namun, kini kita hanya menduduki ranking keenam dunia dan bagi saya, ia amat memalukan.
"Banyak yang perlu dilakukan BAM jika mahu melihat Malaysia kembali sebagai kuasa besar dunia dalam sukan badminton dan ia termasuklah dari aspek program pembangunan yang dianggap sangat penting," kata Elyas ketika ditemui pemberita di Wisma Majlis Olimpik Malaysia (MOM), Kuala Lumpur semalam.
Mengulas lanjut mengenai kedudukan Nadzmi selaku presiden, beliau menegaskan bahawa jawatan itu perlu diambil alih oleh 'orang baharu'.
Jelasnya, selepas 12 tahun menerajui BAM, Nadzmi sepatutnya sudah lama meletak jawatan kerana sukan badminton negara tidak menghasilkan kejayaan cemerlang di pentas antarabangsa termasuklah gagal merampas kembali trofi Piala Thomas.
"Jika dalam saingan bola sepak Liga Perdana England kita akan lihat jurulatih-jurulatih akan dipecat sekiranya tewas dalam dua atau tiga perlawanan sahaja.
"Malah, ia bukan terjadi dalam bola sepak sahaja tetapi sukan-sukan di dunia yang lain juga menerapkan perkara yang sama.
"Begitupun, kita tidak ada budaya seperti ini di Malaysia. Ketika saya memegang jawatan selaku Presiden BAM dahulu, saya sendiri menetapkan tempoh enam tahun untuk membuktikan kemampuan.
"Malah, saya sendiri memberitahu bahawa saya akan letak jawatan jika skuad negara gagal merangkul trofi Piala Thomas 1992. Namun, syukur skuad negara berjaya melakukannya.
"Jadi, berilah peluang kepada orang baharu yang mempunyai idea yang lebih berkesan untuk menerajui BAM demi kemajuan sukan badminton negara," jelas Elyas.
Sebagai rekod, Elyas memikul tugas selaku Presiden BAM bermula pada 1985 hingga 1993.
Ketika BAM di bawah pimpinannya, skuad negara berjaya menjulang trofi Piala Thomas 1992 selepas menewaskan Indonesia pada aksi final di Kuala Lumpur.
Nadzmi pula mula menjawat jawatan Presiden BAM sejak tahun 2000 hingga kini.
Menurut Elyas, perkara paling penting yang perlu dilakukan BAM ketika ini bagi menyelamatkan semula maruah Malaysia ialah segera mewujudkan akademi badminton.
Beliau berkata, akademi badminton ini sangat penting bagi mencungkil bakat-bakat baharu untuk diketengahkan ke peringkat lebih tinggi.
"Ketika saya menjadi presiden, saya telah berusaha untuk mendapatkan tanah bagi mewujudkan akademi badminton negara. Sayangnya, usaha saya itu tidak diteruskan apabila saya keluar daripada BAM.
"Bagi saya, akademi badminton ini sangat penting kerana kita boleh mengenal pasti bakat-bakat baharu, memberi tunjuk ajar kepada para pemain dan seterusnya menghantar mereka beraksi pada kejohanan antarabangsa.
"Daripada situlah kita boleh melahirkan ramai pemain bertaraf dunia," kata Elyas.

Kosmo!

‘Tiada peluang kedua’

BEKAS Presiden Persatuan Badminton Malaysia (BAM) Tan Sri Elyas Omar berkata BAM tidak layak mendapat peluang kedua kerana sudah terlalu kerap mengulangi kegagalan.

Jelas beliau yang memimpin persatuan sehingga membawa pulang trofi Piala Thomas 1992 itu, BAM seharusnya bertanggungjawab dan dipertanggungjawabkan “responsible and accountable.” “Kalau sudah 12 tahun tak dapat apa-apa, kenapa nak beri peluang lagi. Sepatutnya sebagai pemimpin, kita hanya boleh memimpin paling lama enam tahun, jika tiada kejayaan, letak jawatan dan beri peluang pada orang lain,” kata Elyas yang ditemui di Majlis Olimpik Malaysia semalam.

Kenyataan Elyas itu merujuk kepada Datuk Seri Mohd Nadzmi Salleh, namun beliau tidak menyalahkan presiden semata-mata, sebaliknya barisan kepimpinan BAM yang lain termasuk barisan Exco.

Mengulas mengenai nada terkini BAM yang mengatakan sedia menukar corak latihan pemain dan mengulangi kepentingan pembangunan peringkat akar umbi, beliau berkata: “Berdasarkan sejarah, kalau seseorang itu memimpin lebih dari 10 tahun, tidak mampu hasilkan keputusan terutamanya dalam Piala Thomas, apa lagi yang boleh kita harapkan.

“Jika selama 12 tahun tidak mampu berubah, macam mana kita nak harapkan pentadbiran sama berubah untuk dua tahun akan datang. Situasi kita sekarang bukannya berada di situasi yang baik, badminton kita sudah jatuh berguling-guling.” Beliau turut menyelar cara BAM menangani isu kejurulatihan sehingga dua jurulatih bertaraf dunia Rexy Mainaky dari Indonesia dan Yoo Yong-sung (Korea) meletak jawatan menjelang saingan Olimpik London, bulan depan.

“Pemergian Rexy dan Yong-sung adalah satu petanda buruk. Apa yang berlaku sebenarnya. Situasi ini berlaku ibarat api dalam sekam, siapa yang merancangnya kita tidak tahu, mereka bersembunyi,” kata Elyas.

Ketika diminta pandangan mengenai alasan Nadzmi yang mendakwa berjaya membawa masuk banyak dana berbanding defisit kewangan ketika mengambil alih tampuk itu, bagi menutup kegagalan prestasi badminton negara, beliau berkata: “Tugas presiden adalah membelanjakan dana itu dengan cara terbaik bukannya mencari dana. Apa yang nak dibanggakan dengan adanya dana besar tapi tiada kejayaan.

“Mereka kata ada banyak wang tapi tiada program dan kejayaan, apa yang mereka buat, mereka tidur ke?.” Ketika diminta mengulas mengenai beberapa Exco BAM yang menggunakan alasan ‘orang luar’ dengki dan berniat mahu masuk ke dalam persatuan itu setiap kali kenyataan pedas membidas badan induk itu di dada akhbar, Elyas mendakwa itulah sifat negatif pemimpin yang tidak sepatutnya dibawa ke dalam pentadbiran persatuan.

“Nak jadi pemimpin, kita perlu berfikiran terbuka, mesti menerima kritikan. Kalau orang menegur dengan tujuan yang baik apa salahnya, jika mereka nak masuk sekalipun biarkan mereka masuk, jika presiden tidak suka nanti buang saja. Apa yang mereka amalkan kini tidak betul,” kata Elyas.

Metro

Chong Wei sudah mula jalani latihan ringan

CHONG Wei sekadar melakukan latihan ringan semalam.

KECEDERAAN yang dialami pemain perseorangan badminton No. 1 dunia, Datuk Lee Chong Wei tidak menghalangnya daripada menjalani latihan di Stadium Juara, Bukit Kiara, Kuala Lumpur pagi semalam.
Bagaimanapun, jurulatih Tey Siu Bock berkata, Chong Wei hanya akan me- ngikuti latihan ringan setiap hari, iaitu 50 peratus daripada tahap latihan yang biasa dilakukan atlet itu.
"Buat masa ini fokus utama dia (Chong Wei) adalah pada proses pemu- lihan.
"Dia hanya akan menjalani latihan ringan iaitu menumpukan pada tangan sahaja. Tak boleh terlalu berat kerana takut akan menjejaskan lagi kecederaannya," katanya selepas sesi latihan semalam.
Atlet berusia 30 tahun itu mengalami kecederaan buku lali kanan ketika kejohanan Piala Thomas di Wuhan, China bulan lepas.
Chong Wei yang dijadualkan beraksi pada Sukan Olimpik London, Julai depan, kini menjalani rawatan pemulihan di bawah kendalian Institut Sukan Negara (ISN).
Jaguh badminton negara itu kelihatan bersemangat serta masih mampu melakukan pukulan kencang meskipun tidak banyak melakukan gerakan kaki dan lompatan.
Dia berlatih lebih kurang 30 minit bersama Seu Bock sebaik sahaja selesai sesi terapi.
Menurut Seu Bock, beliau akan sentiasa memantau proses pemulihan anak didiknya itu menerusi maklum balas yang diterima setiap minggu daripada ISN.
"Kita pun tidak tahu berapa cepat proses pemulihannya, mungkin ambil masa empat hingga lima minggu lagi. Bagaimanapun, kita akan sentiasa mendapatkan maklum balas daripada doktor yang merawatnya," katanya.

Kosmo

Lupakan Indonesia

KEJOHANAN pemanas badan paling kompetitif sebelum temasya Sukan Olimpik bermula iaitu Siri Super Premier Terbuka Indonesia terpaksa dilupakan pemain nombor satu negara Datuk Lee Chong Wei kerana masih jauh untuk pulih daripada kecederaan buku lali yang dialami pada Piala Thomas lalu.
Jurulatih perseorangan Tey Seu Bock berkata, proses pemulihan pemain itu belum mencapai tahap optimum yang membolehkannya beraksi di pentas kompetitif.

“Chong Wei tidak akan ke Indonesia kerana belum bersedia dan tiada lagi kejohanan pemanas badan untuknya menjelang Olimpik,” kata Seu Bock.
Selain Chong Wei, seteru utama Lin Dan dari China juga mengelak daripada aksi di Indonesia, sebaliknya mengambil keputusan untuk bermain di Terbuka Thailand minggu ini.

Dalam pada itu, Chong Wei mula turun menjalani latihan di gelanggang buat kali pertama semalam, namun sekadar menjalani latihan ringan.

“Chong Wei sudah turun ke gelanggang hari ini (semalam) tapi dia hanya berlatih melakukan pukulan. Dia tidak bergerak di gelanggang, sekadar berdiri di tempat sama. Kami cuma mahu pastikan kemahiran tangannya tidak berkarat jika dia boleh beraksi di Olimpik nanti.

“Apapun latihan ini bukan satu kemestian kerana Chong Wei tertakluk kepada latihan pemulihan di bawah pemantauan ahli fisioterapi Sandra Fiedler. Jika dia rasa mampu dan tidak keletihan, dia akan berlatih di gelanggang.,” katanya.

Metro

Zulfadli’s ankle injury costs him chance for first senior title

Reigning world junior champion Zulfadli Zulkifli missed the opportunity to notch his first senior title as an unfortunate ankle injury cost him dear in the final of the Maldives International Badminton Challenge on Sunday.

He will now skip the Thailand Open GP Gold, which starts in Bangkok today, on doctor’s advice.
The 19-year-old Zulfadli, who created history by becoming the first Malaysian to win the world juniors last year, has yet to make the transition to the senior level.
He was selected as part of the Malaysia B team for the Axiata Cup in March but did not really convince the doubters that he could be a successor to world No. 1 Lee Chong Wei.
In Maldives, world No. 113 Zulfadli put up a strong showing to set up a showdown with India’s K. Srikanth and looked to be on course for his first-ever senior title.
But Zulfadli twisted his right ankle in the first game while leading 6-2. He eventually succumbed 21-13, 11-21, 16-21.
“It’s really disappointing because this could have been my first senior success.
“It’s really unfortunate that I twisted my ankle at such a crucial moment,” he said in a text message.
“I was actually playing well and feeling confident. Despite getting some treatment during the match, the pain was just too much in the end.
“Now my ankle is heavily bandaged and the doctors have told me to give it a rest, which is why I have withdrawn from the Thailand Open.”
The lanky KLRC shuttler will certainly rue missing the Bangkok tournament, which is shorn of several top players who are preparing for the London Olympics.
Zulfadli was initially supposed to face Srikanth in the first round and a win would have pitted him against top seed Lin Dan of China.
Malaysia’s challenge in the men’s singles will be led by fourth seed Mohd Hafiz Hashim, eighth seed Chong Wei Feng, Misbun Ramdan Misbun, Iskandar Zulkarnian Zainuddin, Chan Kwong Beng, Mohd Arif Abdul Latif, Goh Soon Huat, Soong Joo Ven and Loh Wei Sheng.
Courtesy of The Star

Thailand Open: Chance for junior players to show they can make the grade

With the search for world No.1 Lee Chong Wei’s successor on the way, the Thailand Open GP Gold which starts tomorrow in Bangkok presents a good opportunity for several backup and junior players to stand up and be counted.
BJSS trainee Soong Joo Ven, who nailed his first senior title – the Smiling Fish Thailand International Series – last month, has all the makings of a top shuttler and will be looking to state his case.
The 17-year-old Selangor lad meets Japan’s Shu Wada in the first round and a win should pitch him against compatriot Mohd Arif Abdul Latif next.

Spotlight: Mohd Arif Abdul Latif will have the chance to prove his worth at the Thailand Open GP Gold in Bangkok.

The 22-year-old Arif, whose career has hit a snag since making the Thomas Cup qualifying squad in February, faces Korean Park Sung-min in the first round.
Misbun Ramdan Misbun and Iskandar Zulkarnian Zainuddin both face tough first round hurdles.
World No. 70 Ramdan takes on third seed Pablo Abian of Spain and an upset could see him up against either Hong Ji-hoon of South Korea or China’s Chen Yuekun.
Iskandar plays England’s Andrew Smith and a win could see him taking on 14th seed R.M.V. Gurusaidutt of India in the second round.
Another talented youngster, reigning world junior champion Zulfadli Zulkifli, meets India’s K. Srikanth in the first round with a potential clash against top seed Lin Dan next.
The other singles shuttlers in the fray are veteran Mohd Hafiz Hashim, who is seeded fourth, Chong Wei Feng (8th), Loh Wei Sheng, Goh Soon Huat and Chan Kwong Beng.
In men’s doubles, Mohd Lufti Zaim-Vountus Indra Mawan are the seventh seeds and will face Andrei Adistia-Christopher Rusdianto of Indonesia in the first round with a possible quarter-final clash against top seeds and world No. 15 Liu Xiaolong-Qiu Zihan of China.
Former world junior doubles champions Chooi Kah Ming-Ow Yao Han and Nelson Heg-Teo Ee Yi are also in the fray and the Thailand meet will be a good chance for them to step up.
Kah Ming-Yao Han meet Singaporeans Terry Yeo-Liu Yi in the first round while Nelson-Ee Yi take on Taiwanese Huang Po Jui-Liao Ming Chun.
The other Malaysian pairs in the tournament are Low Juan Shen-Tan Yip Jiun, Hoon Thien How-Tan Wee Kiong, Mak Hee Chun-Teo Kok Siang, Jagdish Singh-Yew Hong Kheng, Gan Teik Chai-Ong Soon Hock and Mohd Fairuzizuan Mohd Tazari-Mohd Zakry Abdul Latif.
Courtesy of The Star