SEA Games is a platform for back-up shuttlers to occupy place in Thomas Cup team, says Hendrawan
Malaysia’s Men’s Singles coach of back-up squad, Hendrawan said that performing well at the SEA Games will earn shuttlers a place in the national team for the Thomas Cup Finals, which will take place in 2012.
The coach wants the back-up players to take the SEA Games as the Thomas Cup and show the same spirit while playing the matches. He wants to choose only those shuttlers for the Thomas Cup who live up to the expectations and perform well in this tournament.
In the national squad of Malaysia, no shuttler is able to get even closer to the tops seed and World Number One Lee Chong Wei, who is famous for his commitment, dedication and hard work for badminton.
Among the shuttlers in the back-up squad, the most prominent names are World Number 47 Liew Daren, number 59 Mohamad Arif Abdul Latif, Goh Soon Huat and Chong Wei Feng. All of these players are working to become the true successor of Chong Wei.
The SEA Games is a big test of these back-up players and performing in this tournament will definitely put them ahead of others for the selection of national team for the next year’s Thomas Cup.
Hendrawan said that he will judge every the performance of every shuttler including his match temperament and spirit. The successful players will participate in the Thomas Cup.
Hendrawan said, “This is an important tournament for the back-up shuttlers. I am using it to pick players for the Thomas Cup Finals. I am looking at the players’ spirit and match temperament. It takes a strong character to master all kinds of challenges
– from the strong wind to the unruly fans here in Istora – and this will give the players the edge in terms of selection.”
Many critics think that this is the weakest ever squad of Malaysia in the SEA Games. But the coach wants the shuttlers to prove everyone wrong by putting up strong show.
The spirited shuttler Daren is hopeful for good results in the event.
He said, “We have been dubbed the no-hopers. I wouldn’t be here if that was the case. There is always a possibility of an upset and we will be out to cause it.”
The team events of the SEA Games kick off from today on November 12, at Jakarta, Indonesia.
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