Eei Hui eyes strong finish at tailend of her career

eteran doubles shuttler Chin Eei Hui is hoping to accomplish two challenging missions as she enters the final stretch of her 10-year journey with the national team.
The 29-year-old is bent on seeing her partnership with best buddie Wong Pei Tty hit greater heights at the Uber Cup qualifying tournament in Macau (Feb 13-19) and the Olympic Games in London (July 27-Aug 12).
Eei Hui-Pei Tty are the top ranked pair in the Malaysian Uber Cup team.

Enduring pair: What a doubles journey it has been for Chin Eei Hui (right) and Wong Pei Tty.

The duo, who are currently ranked 14th, will have to remain in the top 16 in the next three months if they are to see action at the Olympic Games.
Eei Hui, who made her international debut with Pei Tty in 2002, knows that her career is at its tailend and she is praying for a strong finish.
“This is my 10th year with the national team. Pei Tty and I have come a long way ... and what a journey it has been. There have been ups and downs but I don’t think I can go on after the Olympics,” Eei Hui said after a training session at the Juara Stadium in Bukit Kiara yesterday.
She was thankful, though, that she and Pei Tty had managed to overcome a long list of injuries.
“I have suffered every possible injury that you can think of all these years. Except for my right hand, I have had treatment for all other parts of my body. That is what badminton has done to me,” said the left-hander.
“I have withstood all the pain and I aim to persevere until the Olympics.
“Pei Tty too underwent knee surgery in 2010 and made a stunning comeback last year. She is pushing herself hard as well. It is unfortunate that we have had to face so many challenges in our last year as a pair but we keep on encouraging each other and this is what motivates us to hang in there until the Olympic Games.”
The duo have certainly done Malaysia proud in the last 10 years – especially in overcoming the much-vaunted Chinese and Korean pairs.
Eei Hui-Pei Tty also bagged the SEA Games gold medals in 2005 and 2009; won the 2008 Denmark Open and World Superseries Finals; and emerged champions at the 2009 Indonesia Open.
Eei Hui has also starred in the mixed doubles event, successfully combining with Koo Kien Keat to clinch the gold medal at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in India.
But there is one “nightmare” she can’t forget.
“I just cannot erase one painful memory from my mind ... the one where Pei Tty and I lost 0-15, 6-15 to Taiwan’s Cheng Wen-shing-Chien Yu-chin in the 2004 Korean Open.
“I still can’t believe we were handed a duck in the opening game,” said Eei Hui.
“We got a tongue-lashing from our coach Cheah Soon Kit then. He lectured us for almost an hour and then withdrew us from the Japan Open. We were kept at home. Then, when we were sent to the Asian Badminton Championships, we were filled with steely determination.
“We beat the same Taiwanese pair en route to a semi-final finish. From then on, we grew in strength and confidence. We will always be grateful to Soon Kit.”
On the team’s chances in the Uber Cup qualifiers, Eei Hui acknowledged that it would be difficult “as we are drawn in Group W with top seeds China and India”.
“China are in a different class all together but we have a 50-50 chance against India. Both our doubles pairs have to win at all costs if we are to have any chance of making the quarter-finals. We need to steal a point from the singles as well,” she said.
The other pairs in the Uber Cup team are Woon Khe Wei-Vivian Hoo and Lim Yin Loo-Goh Liu Ying. The singles players are Tee Jing Yi, Lydia Cheah, Sannatasah Saniru and Yang Li Lian.
A good showing at the Uber Cup and several other tournaments – German Open, All-England, Swiss Open, Australia Open, India Open and Asian Badminton Championships – would set Eei Hui-Pei Tty nicely up for a grand finale – at the London Olympics.
And that would be a fitting farewell indeed.
Courtesy of The Star

HPT assure long-term plan to get Malaysian badminton back on track

  A long term plan to get Malaysian badminton back on track will take precedence after the London Olympic Games in August.
This was the assurance given by Wong Ah Jit, one of the three members of the High Performance Team (HPT) set up by the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) to oversee the Olympic-bound shuttlers.
Ah Jit said the existing coaching and training structure was fine but was lacking in some procedural matters.

No time to relax: South Korean coach Yoo Yong-sung putting two Malaysian doubles players through their paces during centralised training for the Thomas Cup qualifiers on Monday. — AHMAD IZZRAFIQ ALIAS / The Star

“The next six months will give us time to strengthen the Olympic-bound team’s preparations. Along the way, we will be able to look at the big picture on what is required to improve the current set-up,” said Ah Jit.
“We don’t need a major revamp. What we need is to put right the procedure of doing things. Dealing with the current Olympic-bound team will enable us to re-look the whole process.
“I understand the public’s disappointment over the lack of talent coming through. The current cycle will end with the London Games and, by then, we will have the necessary information to make the required changes to improve things.”
Ah Jit said while one should not change for the sake of changing, measures needed to be taken to ensure that there would be a continuous pool of talented players to win honours for the country.
“We formed a project squad to prepare teams for the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur. It was a great success as Malaysia won 10 gold medals. What happened after that? The project squad were disbanded and new ones were created. Why change when the previous structure had proven to be successful? It will be better to strengthen the existing programme.”
Ah Jit, who is from the National Sports Institute (NSI), hoped badminton would eventually become a role model for other sports in the country.
“Currently, badminton enjoys the most support. It has about 11 personnel from NSI on a full-time basis assisting in various areas while four others have been commissioned to help out. The players are also supported by coaches and administrators. Most teams abroad bank on a similar system like those in AIS (Australia Institute of Sports) and EIS (England Institute of Sports),” he said.
“We are moving in the right direction. For now, we cannot assure anyone of overnight success but we can work out a better plan for the future to raise standards. The next six months will help us identify the areas that need immediate attention.
“For now, our focus is to ensure that nothing deters the Olympic-bound team’s preparations.”
Courtesy of The Star

Koo-Tan want to lift team’s morale ahead of Thomas Cup qualifier

It looks like national doubles shuttlers Koo Kien Keat and Tan Boon Heong have done some deep soul searching and emerged enlightened.
Yesterday, a composed and determined Kien Keat and Boon Heong professed their resolve to lift the team’s morale ahead of the Thomas Cup qualifying tournament and also their commitment to revive their own medal hopes at the London Olympic Games.
The Thomas Cup Asian Zone qualifiers will be held in Macau from Feb 13-19 and the London Games from July 28-Aug 12. In between, the world No. 6 pair have several assignments, including two main Super Series events - the All-England and India Open.
The 26-year-old Kien Keat, the older and more experienced of the duo, said he was ready to weave his magic again in the team event to restore the image of the men’s doubles.

Revitalised: Koo Kien Keat (left) and Tan Boon Heong are ready to make amends in the Thomas Cup qualifier after their recent fall from grace.

“There’s something about a team event where I tend to rise to the occasion. These have been difficult times but I am here today with a sincere pledge to give my best for the nation,” he said.
Kien Keat has given spirited displays in each of the four Thomas Cup Finals he has featured in since 2004.
“It’s a heavy responsibilty but I don’t want it to be a burden which weighs me down. What’s important is to take the necessary steps in training to improve my physical condition. Boon Heong and I are the underdogs and must work on the right strategies to overcome our higher-ranked opponents,” said Kien Keat.
On the meeting with South Korea in Group D of the qualifiers, Kien Keat said: “We don’t have any phobia against the Korean pairs. I remember playing in my first Finals without any fear. I’m going with the same attitude.”
Despite the hurtful words hurled at Kien Keat-Boon Heong following their spectacular fall from grace, starting with the demoralising quarter-finals defeat the World Championships last year, Kien Keat said they were revitalised and motivated after the heart-to-heart meeting with coaches and the High Performance Team (HPT).
“We have been down but the support from our coaches and officials has been exhilarating. All we have received has been loads of encouragement and this keeps us going,” said Kien Keat.
“Our ultimate goal is the Olympic Games but this doesn’t mean we won’t take the Thomas Cup seriously. It’s important too but our focus is on striking it right in London.”
Boon Heong, who played with Kien Keat in the last two Thomas Cup editions in 2008 (Tokyo) and 2010 (Kuala Lumpur) , said he would do his part to lift the morale of debutant pair Lim Khim Wah-Goh V Shem and Teo Kok Siang.
The other doubles player in the squad, Hoon Thien How, was also in the team for the last Finals in KL.
“It’s my job to deflect the pressure from the younger players. I will stand by them even if they make mistakes.
“This is a team competition and we need to support one another. I want to do my part to instil confidence in them,” said Boon Heong.
On the possibility of forming scratch partnerships at the qualifier, Boon Heong said: “I’m ready to play with anyone. We try out various partnerships in training so there shouldn’t be any problems.”
Malaysia can harbour hopes of making the cut for the Finals in Wuhan, China, in May if the doubles pairs rise to the occasion together with the singles players led by world No. 1 Lee Chong Wei, Only four tickets are available from the Asian Zone qualifiers.
Courtesy of The Star

Centralised training begins minus a sick Chong Wei

The first day of a two-week centralised training, aimed at psyching up the players for the Thomas-Uber Cup Asian Zone qualifying tournament, began on a stuttering note at the Juara Stadium in Bukit Kiara.
World No. 1 Lee Chong Wei missed the morning session due to illness. Chong Wei is the only player likely to win at least one point in every tie for Malaysia during the qualifiers in Macau, scheduled from Feb 13.
Said national coach Tey Seu Bock: “Chong Wei has called in sick but he has been really focused in training since coming back from the Chinese New Year holidays,” said national coach Tey Seu Bock.
Youngster Mohd Arif Abdul Latif, meanwhile, had to reduce his training time after hurting his knee in a fall but coach Hendrawan brushed aside the incident.
The others, however, seemed completely engrossed with the training session, showing sheer focus and determination.
The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM), however, are showing signs of nervousness, especially with all that talk about the team’s slim chances at the qualifiers.
The BAM issued an official statement yesterday restricting the movement of the media at the training ground.
In another development, the High Performance Team (HPT) will meet today to decide whether to go ahead with their plans to have their second phase of training in Sabah next week.
Some coaches however, felt that the move might disrupt the players’ concentration.
Courtesy of The Star

Rexy believes women’s team can make cut for Uber Cup

The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) may not have much faith in the men’s team making the cut for the Thomas Cup Finals, but national women’s doubles coach Rexy Mainaky believes his charges can qualify for the Uber Cup Finals.
Malaysia have been drawn with powerhouses China and India in Group W for the Uber Cup qualifying rounds, which begin in Macau on Feb 13 and stand a very slim chance of reaching the Finals, which will be held in Wuhan, China, in May. With former national ace Wong Mew Choo already retired, Malaysia are shorn of singles talent as the likes of Tee Jing Yi, Lydia Cheah, Sannatasah Saniru and Yang Li Lian are nowhere near capable of carrying the team past the group stages.

Saina Nehwal: Rexy thinks Tee Jing Yi can give the Indian shuttler a run for her money.

However, Rexy feels that the draw isn’t too bad and that there is a realistic chance of overcoming India to advance from the group stages.
“Our main target is to overcome India ... if (Chin) Eei Hui-(Wong) Pei Tty are injury-free, they have the quality to win a point against the top Indian pair of Jwala Gutta-Ashwini Ponnappa,” said Rexy.
“Our second doubles are also not to be underestimated ... they can rise to the occasion.
“In the singles, Jing Yi could give Saina Nehwal a run for her money and an on-form Lydia can overcome India’s second singles without much difficulty.”
Besides Eei Hui-Pei Tty, the other women’s doubles shuttlers in the squad are Vivian Hoo-Woon Khe Wei and Goh Liu Ying-Lim Yin Loo.
Vivian-Khe Wei reached the quarter-finals of the Malaysian Open last month while Liu Ying-Yin Loo pulled off a stunning win over Jwala-Ashwini in the India Open GP Gold last December.
Rexy also confirmed that Khe Wei, who twisted her ankle during the Malaysian Open, is already doing light training.
“She is not yet 100% fit and her movement is a little restricted, but she is recovering fast and should be fit for the qualifiers,” he said.
Courtesy of The Star

Chong Wei banking on team spirit to help Malaysia qualify

World No. 1 Lee Chong Wei is ready to play his part and help Malaysia make it past the Thomas Cup qualifying rounds, which will be held in Macau from Feb 13-19.
Malaysia have one of the weakest squads ever and have been drawn in the tough Group D with second seeds South Korea and Hong Kong.
They will have their work cut out if they aim to avoid the embarrassment of failing to qualify for the Finals for the third time.

Rising stars: Goh V Shem (right) and Lim Khim Wah will be Malaysia’s second pair in the Thomas Cup qualifiers.

Malaysia have failed to qualify for the Finals only twice – in 1973 and 1979.
But Chong Wei believes that the current team need to unite in order to pull through.
“I am aware that we do not have a strong squad, but we have nothing to lose and I am hoping for some strong team spirit to pull ourselves through,” said Chong Wei.
“We will go out there and try our very best to qualify for the Thomas Cup Finals.
“As for the match against the Koreans, I hope we can pull through with one point from singles and two more from the doubles pairs.
“It will be crucial for me to win the first singles because it will help take the pressure off the doubles pairs ... hopefully our second and third singles will be able to steal a point as well.
“For now, it is important that we focus on the group stages and nothing else.
“We must prepare ourselves as best we can for the qualifiers.”
Besides Chong Wei, the other singles players in the squad are Mohd Hafiz Hashim, Liew Daren and Mohd Arif Abdul Latif.
The doubles shuttlers include Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong, Goh V Shem-Lim Khim Wah, Hoon Thien How and Teo Kok Siang.
It looks like Chong Wei isn’t the only who thinks Malaysia can overcome South Korea.
National men’s singles head coach Rashid Sidek thinks his men can topple South Korea and make the quarter-finals as group winners.
“South Korea are very strong in the doubles and the key to scoring an upset win over them is for one of our doubles pairs to steal a point,” said Rashid.
“Even then, we definitely need two points from the singles, so Hafiz or Daren will have to deliver the goods, just like Chong Wei.
“This is our best chance because their second singles Park Sung-hwan is just recovering from an injury and may not be fully fit.
“Still, we have to be fully prepared because their third singles, Shon Wan-ho is a dangerous player.”
Courtesy of The Star

Paksi BAM tidak pernah berubah

BARISAN pemain yang akan menggalas cabaran negara pada kelayakan Piala Thomas 2012 di Macau.

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PERSATUAN Badminton Malaysia (BAM) tetap menganggap temasya Sukan Olimpik 2012 di London adalah lebih penting berbanding kempen Piala Thomas.
Setiausaha Kehormat BAM, Ng Chin Chai berkata, memandangkan 2012 merupakan tahun berlangsungnya Sukan Olimpik, keutamaan sudah pasti perlu diberikan kepada temasya sukan paling berprestij dunia itu.
Jelas Chin Chai, pihaknya tidak mahu memberikan tekanan kepada barisan pemain negara dengan mengatakan Piala Thomas juga penting, sekali gus boleh menjejaskan prestasi mereka.
“Kami (BAM) tidak mahu pemain-pemain berasa tertekan. Jika kita beraksi dengan baik pada kempen kelayakan Piala Thomas dan layak ke pusingan akhir ia adalah suatu berita yang baik.
“Namun, jika gagal, tidak mengapa. Kita tidak mahu pemain-pemain terlalu memikirkan mengenai Piala Thomas sehingga menjejaskan program persiapan bagi menghadapi Sukan Olimpik,” kata Chin Chai pada sidang media selepas mengadakan perbincangan bersama barisan jurulatih di Stadium Juara, Bukit Kiara semalam.
Hadir pada perbincangan tersebut ialah Pasukan Prestasi Tinggi (HPT) BAM yang diketuai Chin Chai, Datuk James Selvaraj dan Leftenan Kolonel (B) Wong Ah Jit bersama-sama ketua jurulatih perseorangan, Rashid Sidek, jurulatih perseorangan, Tey Seu Bock, ketua jurulatih beregu lelaki, Tan Kim Her serta ketua jurulatih beregu wanita, Rexy Mainaky.
Ah Jit turut senada dengan Chin Chai sambil menegaskan bahawa temasya Olimpik yang dijadualkan berlangsung pada Julai depan harus diberi keutamaan.
“Sukan Olimpik dianjurkan setiap empat tahun sekali, manakala Piala Thomas pula setiap dua tahun sekali.
“Dalam tempoh empat tahun itu, pasti Sukan Olimpik dan Piala Thomas akan berlangsung pada tahun yang sama. Jadi kita perlu membuat pemilihan untuk memberi keutamaan kepada yang mana satu.
“Untuk kali ini, kita beri keutamaan kepada Sukan Olimpik. Dua tahun selepas ini, kita akan kembali fokus kepada Piala Thomas pula. Jadi kita tetap ada peluang untuk menang Piala Thomas,” tambah Ah Jit.
Bagaimanapun, Ah Jit menjelaskan, BAM tetap mengambil berat bagi menghadapi saingan Piala Thomas.
“Jika tidak, tidak perlulah BAM membuat latihan pusat sebagai persiapan semua. Kami masih merancang rapi persiapan bagi saingan Piala Thomas,” jelasnya.
Sebelum ini, BAM dikritik hebat oleh pemerhati sukan tanah air yang meluahkan rasa tidak puas hati mereka apabila persiapan skuad negara dilihat lebih menjurus kepada temasya Olimpik.
Antara yang tampil mengkritik ialah bekas pemain beregu negara, Razif Sidek yang meluahkan kekecewaannya apabila melihat persiapan yang dilakukan BAM bagi menghadapi kempen Piala Thomas.
Jelasnya, BAM ternyata lebih mementingkan Sukan Olimpik berbanding Piala Thomas yang sepatutnya perlu ada keseimbangan bagi menghadapi kedua-dua kejohanan tersebut.
Malah, Razif mendesak baik jurulatih, Jawatankuasa Kejurulatihan dan Latihan (C&T) mahupun HPT meletak jawatan sekiranya skuad negara gagal melangkah ke pusingan akhir Piala Thomas di Wuhan, China Mei depan

Kosmo!