Golden opportunity for youngsters

10 DECEMBER 2014 @ 8:07 AM  New straits times

THIRTY aspiring badminton players aged between 10 and 12 embarked on a journey towards making the sport their profession of choice last month.

These kids were taken under the wing of the Kem Badminton Astro (KBA) programme to the Li Yongbo Badminton Academy in Dongguan, China, for a two-week intensive training camp under national Chinese coaches led by Tang Xianhu, the renowned coach behind Chinese badminton greats.

During their time in China, the Malaysian youngsters saw their game improve with new badminton techniques and a stronger endurance level due to the physical exercises.

More importantly they had fun and made new friends with the same aspiration to excel in badminton.

The programme culminated in an award for the best players.

Kok Jing Hong (12, Kedah) was named the Best Participant Boy Player, Valeree Siow Zi Xuan (12, Perak) was the Best Participant Girl Player, Poopathi Velayutham, 10, from Kedah was The Most Promising Boy Player while Cheah Wen Jun (12, Penang) was The Most Promising Girl Player.

Jing Hong said: “I am honoured with the recognition and this has motivated me to train harder. The training has improved my net shot, sliced smash shot and footwork. I have set my goal to enter the Li Yongbo Badminton Academy and I am working hard to realise my dream.”

Poopathi said: “I started to play badminton when I was three. The training camp organised by Astro has helped me tremendously, especially in improving my game. The experience in China opened my eyes to world class standards in badminton, and has motivated me to work harder on my game.”

Wen Jun said his game had improved tremendously.

“The challenging training regime has improved my on-court movement and pace. I enjoyed the comprehensive training at the academy and would like to encourage more youths to enter next year,” said Wen Jun.

Joden Atom John, who hails from Sarawak, said: “The training methods used in China were unique. Although the training was tough, I had the chance to learn world class techniques and the coaches cared for every player.

“For example, they personally coach the players on the right approach and movement.”

Sabahan siblings Demond Anthony Samin (12) and Arena Satu (11) were excited that they were selected to train in China.

Demond, who had previously participated in last year’s training with Japan’s Kanto Junior Athlete Academy Team, said: “While the training in Japan helped me focus on badminton techniques, the training in China helped me strengthen my endurance and stamina while on the court. I even got to apply the sliced smash shot technique that I learned in Japan in the friendly match against the Chinese players in China.”

Astro’s director of community affairs said badminton is a popular sport in Malaysia.

“We are committed to nurture the next generation of world badminton champions from a young age. China has produced many world champions; as such we believe the two-week training programme, under the supervision of the professional coaches at Li Yongbo Badminton School, provided valuable experience for our participants.

“We will engage with the coaches and participants for their feedback to bring Kem Badminton Astro to the next level.”