MIRI: More efforts are needed to produce top badminton players in Sarawak. Assistant Sports Minister Datuk Lee Kim Shin said this after he officiated at the close of a badminton clinic conducted by former national coach Yap Kim Hock here from June 2-6. The five-day clinic was held Tung Sports badminton training centre near Padang Kerbau here.
Lee pointed to the need for more professional expertise and coaches and more training centres to help raise the standard of badminton in the state.
He also emphasised the importance of competition for players.
“After training, participation in competition is required to test their skills and ability, to meet their competitors and they shall learn in advance how to improve themselves,” he explained.
Lee, who was also chef de mission of Sarawak’s contingent in the recent 17th Sukma, noted that Sarawak did not obtain any medal in badminton in Perlis.
Meanwhile Yap, who constantly travelled around the country conducting clinics, said it took time to train potential players.
“But to discover the next Datuk Lee Chong Wei, based on the standard showed by the current young players, we are still far from reaching the expectation. I could fairly say that we have a lot of work to do,” he observed.
He, however, remains hopeful.
“I did discover an 11-year old girl who could play very well, I am sure that with ample training and motivation, she could shine in international competition,” he revealed.
18 players from around Miri, aged under 18, participated in the clinic.
Yap and his assistant Daniel Tan, a former national youth player, wrapped up the clinic by playing against two local players in a friendly match.
Proceeds from spectators at the friendly match was donated to MRC Kidney Dialysis Centre.