IN ACTION: Deputy Minister for Youth and Sports, Senator Gan Ping Sieu (left) in action during the friendly match between his team and Nusa Mahsuri Sports and Badminton Club led by national badminton legends, Datuk Misbun Sidek (second right) and his brother Jalani Sidek (right). The match was held in conjunction with the opening of Future X-plode Badminton Championship held at National Assessment Institute (INSPEN) at Bangi, Selangor. — Bernama photo
KUALA LUMPUR: Just like badminton fans in the country, Datuk Lee Chong Wei’s former coach Datuk Misbun Sidek expressed concern with the world number one’s apparent drop in form at international competitions lately.
Misbun said age, commitment to family (just married) and change in style of play, maybe among factors that contributed to Chong Wei’s drop in performance.
“Since Chong Wei has already decided to set up a family (married to former national women shuttler Wong Mew Choo), we do not know the level of his commitment because badminton is a sport that needs total physical ability.
“As a sportsman, Chong Wei himself must know where he stands now to stabilize his position internationally,” he told reporters at the launch of ‘Future X-Plode’ national badminton competition, an initiative between the Ministry of Youth and Sports and Nusa Mahsuri here today.
The competition that started yesterday was a continuation of the Kem Bakat Badminton KBS-Nusa Mahsuri zone level and state level programmes in 2009.
However, Misbun expressed confidence that Chong Wei would be able to overcome the weaknesses soon. Chong Wei, 30, who tied the knot with Mew Choo on Nov 9, suffered a major setback when he lost to world number 9, Du Pengyu of China, in the Super Series Masters Final group match in Shenzhen, China recently.
After the loss, Chong Wei withdrew from the competition citing a leg injury.
Meanwhile, Misbun who is the Nusa Mahsuri Badminton Club (NMBC) head coach said the Future X-Plode tournament at the Institut Penilaian Negara (Inspen) Sports Complex in Bangi, Selangor.
About 400 young aspiring shuttlers aged 13 and below will be taking part. — Bernama