Shabery happy with shuttlers’ preparations for Finals
News 11:40 AM
KUALA LUMPUR: Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek and his entourage came prepared with their racquets and attire when they made a surprise visit to the national badminton training centre at the Juara Stadium in Bukit Kiara here yesterday.
After greeting the players and coaches, Shabery went on to play a few games with his staff and his deputy, Datuk Razali Ibrahim, before leaving to attend the Parliamentary meeting.
But it was not all fun for Shabery as he wanted to see up close the ongoing preparations of the Thomas and Uber Cup trainees.
After a lapse of 10 years, Malaysia are again hosting the Finals at the Putra Stadium in Bukit Jalil from May 9-16.
Surprise visit: Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek (centre) having a word with the coaches at the Juara Stadium in Bukit Kiara yesterday. Shabery later expressed his satisfaction with the state of the preparation of the teams.
“I did not announce my visit to them but from what I have seen, I’m confident we have a team with the ability to regain the Thomas Cup,” he said. “We are playing on home ground and it should be used as a motivating factor for them. I just hope Malaysians will show support for the team.”
Certain quarters have brought up the matter of a lack of promotional activities, especially when the Finals are less than a month away.
On whether the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) are doing enough to promote the biennial world team championships for both men and women, Shabery said that the ministry were ready to help in any way possible.
“I’m sure the public will be aware of the Finals as the dates get nearer,” he said.
“We are asking the players to fight for the country and it’s not an easy life they go through. They have to be disciplined and wake up early for training. Therefore, the least we can do is to show our appreciation by buying tickets to watch them.”
The public can get a peek of the shuttlers selected for the Finals when they play simulation matches after their return from the motivational and team-building camp in Port Dickson next week.
Doubles chief coach Rexy Mainaky said that the shuttlers and coaches would be in Port Dickson for three days from tomorrow.
“We are still looking at a suitable venue for the simulation matches where the public can watch the games,” he said.
“We hope to create the environment to get them in the mood before we switch training to the actual venue early next month.”
After greeting the players and coaches, Shabery went on to play a few games with his staff and his deputy, Datuk Razali Ibrahim, before leaving to attend the Parliamentary meeting.
But it was not all fun for Shabery as he wanted to see up close the ongoing preparations of the Thomas and Uber Cup trainees.
After a lapse of 10 years, Malaysia are again hosting the Finals at the Putra Stadium in Bukit Jalil from May 9-16.
Surprise visit: Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek (centre) having a word with the coaches at the Juara Stadium in Bukit Kiara yesterday. “I did not announce my visit to them but from what I have seen, I’m confident we have a team with the ability to regain the Thomas Cup,” he said. “We are playing on home ground and it should be used as a motivating factor for them. I just hope Malaysians will show support for the team.”
Certain quarters have brought up the matter of a lack of promotional activities, especially when the Finals are less than a month away.
On whether the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) are doing enough to promote the biennial world team championships for both men and women, Shabery said that the ministry were ready to help in any way possible.
“I’m sure the public will be aware of the Finals as the dates get nearer,” he said.
“We are asking the players to fight for the country and it’s not an easy life they go through. They have to be disciplined and wake up early for training. Therefore, the least we can do is to show our appreciation by buying tickets to watch them.”
The public can get a peek of the shuttlers selected for the Finals when they play simulation matches after their return from the motivational and team-building camp in Port Dickson next week.
Doubles chief coach Rexy Mainaky said that the shuttlers and coaches would be in Port Dickson for three days from tomorrow.
“We are still looking at a suitable venue for the simulation matches where the public can watch the games,” he said.
“We hope to create the environment to get them in the mood before we switch training to the actual venue early next month.”
Posted by Lucas Liau
on 11:40 AM.
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