Just being good is not enough to be champions: ABM

KUALA LUMPUR – The national shuttlers who performed poorly at the Malaysia Open are good players, said Akademi Badminton Malaysia (ABM) chief executive officer Michelle Chai.

However, she added that being good would not be enough to compete at high-level world tournaments, which have become much more competitive.

“I am not saying they are bad. They are doing okay. They are good players with no attitude problems and their discipline has been exemplary.

“But at this point, looking at how they have fared at the tournament, they would need to be more than okay.

“Instead, they need to be great players to compete against other great players, many of whom are catching up faster than us,” she said during a press conference earlier.

With the much talked about 2024 Olympic Games qualification starting May 1, Michelle stressed, certain sacrifices are required to be a champion at the quadrennial international multisport event. 

She said to become a great player, one must be able to handle the pressure that comes with the status.

“Sacrifices are necessary to be a top player, such as making extra efforts during training. They have to be dedicated.

“And once you are at the top? Can you handle the pressure to maintain your position?

“The real mark of a champion is to be able to maintain one’s position at the top.

“I cannot create ABM as a place without pressure. It is impossible because if we live a life without some pressure, can we succeed?” asked Michelle.

Also present at the press conference was high-performance director Tim Jones who echoed that pressure is not necessarily a bad thing.

Taking men’s doubles Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik as an example, he said being the world champions means stepping into the court and using “pressure as your armour”.

“Your opponents should be fearing you because you are the world champions. Not ‘oh no, I am the world champion, what if I fail’,” noted Jones.

“The current landscape is much more challenging. There are many more external stresses to manage. 

“We are not here to just protect the players, but help support the players as best as we can.

“We are helping the players reframe what they might perceive as challenges and stress as something that can actually facilitate better performance, as well as overcome challenges in high-pressure environments.” 

Summarising how the players performed at the maiden Super 1000 event recently, Michelle clarified that the national body was not solely disappointed with the results the national squad delivered.

Instead, she said the players failed to show their true strength, especially with the advantage of playing on home turf.

“Off the court, we have tried to provide the best services, such as the best facilities, nutrition, and mental and strength training.

“The rest is up to them to do their part to become great players. 

“They need to remember how they must have felt happy when they first started playing badminton. But where is that happiness now? Where was the feeling when you first picked up the racquet when you were younger?

“I think when you watched Aaron-Wooi Yik play that day, you could see on their faces that they do not enjoy it anymore,” Michelle added.

Many of the national players have their names drawn as the Super 750 India Open starts next week.

They include men’s singles Ng Tze Yong, men’s doubles Aaron-Wooi Yik and Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani, and women’s doubles Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah, as well as mixed doubles Hoo Pang Ron-Teoh Mei Xing. 

Michelle said that the time for handholding is over, and the players would need to make the extra effort for themselves too. – The Vibes,  January 15, 2023