Misbun to take Misbun and Shahrizal under his wings
News 9:20 AM
KUALA LUMPUR: National singles coach Misbun Sidek loves to take on new challenges every year.
And Misbun’s challenge this year is to prepare a new generation of singles players for the country and towards this end he has roped in two youngsters – his son Misbun Ramdan and Mohd Shahrizal Abdul Latip.
Currently, others in his care are two elite shuttlers - Lee Chong Wei and Wong Mew Choo and two back-up players – Chan Kwong Beng and Lok Chong Chieh.
Misbun said that it would be challenging to juggle his attention among three different groups of players but he is ready for the tasks.
“Ramdan and Shahrizal are new challenges for me this year. I see them as the new generation of players and it is my job to mould them as future world beaters,” said Misbun.
The 18-year-old Ramdan did well to reach the semi-finals of the Asian Junior Championships last year while 19-year-old Shahrizal of Selangor showed consistency in last year’s 100Plus National Junior Circuit.
“Both show good attitude in training and have the talent to go far. I also had the opportunity to work with Chong Wei and Hafiz (Hashim) after they finished their studies.
“I hope to turn these youngsters into players like Chong Wei and Hafiz in the near future. They should be ready to take up the mantle of singles play when the seniors leave,” said Misbun.
“I will have separate plans for these youngsters. They will be sent to minor Open tournaments. I want to expose these raw talents as much as I can this year.”
Misbun, however, will demand immediate results from his other charges.
He said it was time for Kwong Beng and Chong Chieh to deliver.
“Both have shown improvements in training. But what I hope to see in them is some charisma in their game.
“Right now, they do not make their opponents fear them,” he said.
On Chong Wei and Mew Choo, he hoped that they would continue with their fine run in international tournaments.
Chong Wei bagged seven international titles last year while Mew Choo overcame injuries to win the prestigious Super Series Masters Finals in Johor Baru.
Mew Choo also helped Malaysia win the women’s team title for the first time in 34 years at last month’s SEA Games in Laos.
Posted by Lucas Liau
on 9:20 AM.
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