Kuching duo impress Misbun 

By Martin Yee

National singles coach describes youngsters as having right stuff to go national

KUCHING: National singles coach Misbun Sidek is impressed with the potential of two young local badminton players, describing them as having the right stuff to become national players, if not champions.

Timothy Manik, 15, and Gerrard Ong, 13, are among 26 players under the Sarawak Badminton Association-Pacific Badminton Management (SBA-PBM) project and both caught Misbun’s eye when he visited Sentosa Sports Centre at Jalan Stakan here (where the players are presently training) during a camp for the national players recently.

According to PBM coach Dominic Lim, Misbun has drawn up a programme for the two boys who will continue their training in Kuching.

Lim said Misbun, a world-class singles player in the 1970s and early 1980s, liked certain qualities of theirs, especially their height and court movements.

“With these attributes, he is confident both could be groomed to become even better players,” Lim added.

Lim learnt from Misbun that Timothy and Gerrard were tall for their age and they had other special qualities like good footwork and ‘light’ movements from the back to the front of the court.

“Misbun also advised the boys to put in physical training and has drawn up a programme for me to follow through with emphasis on weight training. “He predicted that if the players followed his programme, they could be drafted into the national sports school at Bukit Jalil when they reach 16 and 17,” Lim said.

He disclosed that Misbun had even asked if Timothy could go to Kuala Lumpur to train under him although it’s generally felt at such a young age, it might not be the right time for the 15-year-old to take the plunge.

“Misbun has taken such an interest in our programme. He liked what he saw as we have a large group of young players ready to be groomed into future national players.

“He has even given me a programme with different drill patterns for the players. He said it’s the same one used by world number one Datuk Lee Chong Wei,” Lim added.

During Misbun’s time, badminton was dominated by players like Indonesia’s Liem Swie King, noted for his power game, and Chinese players like Yang Yang and Zhao Jian Hua who perfected the jumping smashes.

Misbun also had a weapon of his own - the deceptive chop.

According to Lim, Misbun advised the players to develop a versatile game, focusing on court craft such as deception, the ability to vary and play the right shots as well as power.

He said the national coach also advised him to keep up the programme of grooming youngsters for the national arena as a pool of players was needed to take part in competitions like the Super Series every month.

“Misbun is aware that sending the national players to these competitions could result in unnecessary injuries, so he prefers potential young players taking part instead for the exposure and experience,” Lim added.