We’re in good Hann-ds
Choong Hann wants to instil winning attitude in players
New Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) coaching director Wong Choong Hann held court on his first day of work at the Academy Badminton Malaysia with a smashing resolution – to instil a winning mindset in the national players. “We have to improve our own ability so that we can be ready to fight anyone,” he said. “Our players need to upset better players instead of finding easy ways to earn points in lower-ranked tournaments. To be the best player, we’ve to fight every tough player.”
KUALA LUMPUR: To be the best, you have to beat the best.
And this mindset is what new Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) coaching director Wong Choong Hann wants to instil in the national players.
He conveyed his intention after meeting all the players and coaches when he clocked in for work on his first day at the Academy Badminton Malaysia yesterday.
Choong Hann wants to change a few things so that the players will adopt the winning mentality.
The former world No. 1 believes that trying to play in smaller tournaments to win more ranking points is not the way to move forward.
“We have to improve our own ability so that we can be ready to fight anyone. Our players need to upset better players instead of finding easy ways to earn points in lower-ranked tournaments,” said Choong Hann.
“To be the best player, we’ve to fight every tough player. I believe the mindset should be correct.
“Some players look at the draw and they’ve already concluded at which stage they were going to lose and how many ranking points they’ll get. This is not the way to think. They must be prepared and think far ahead.”
The 41-year-old was expected to start as the chief in January, but Choong Hann wants to get a headstart.
And he literally started early by arriving at the track and field stadium at the Arena UM (Universiti Malaya) at 6am yesterday. He met national singles players and head coaches Datuk Misbun Sidek (men’s singles) and Datuk Tey Seu Bock (women’s singles) respectively yesterday.
The 2013 World Championship silver medallist then arrived at the ABM to touch base with others at the national camp.
“I’ll source for information about players’ conditions from the coaches. We’ll look into details and plan for the players ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. I’ll also look into the development programme for the younger players.”
Having been coached by Misbun and Seu Bock and known by most of the coaches during his playing days, Choong Hann does not see himself as the master and the coaches as students.
“I’ve respect for all coaches. We’re all here with the same objectives. We may have different ideas but ultimately, it’s to find the best solution to raise the standard of Malaysian badminton.
“As long as we keep an open heart and share a common goal, I believe we can work things out and give the best benefits to the players. It is all about the players, they should feel comfortable and grow better everyday.”
On former world No. 1 Lee Chong Wei’s intention to return to training next year, Choong Hann believes the former has enough time to return and qualify for the Olympics.
“I don’t think time is an issue for him. He has the ability to qualify, earn points and win,” said Choong Hann.
“We’ve seen him come back from many challenges before, so I don’t see why Chong Wei cannot do it again.”