Reliving the badminton dream

> A recent game brings back memories of a skilful younger self, some regrets, and being grateful for still having a good life

hippopotamus after my retirement.

I was just stroking lightly with T.L., occasionally showing glimpses of my former brilliance, especially in my drive shots.

Of course, I couldn’t retrieve T.L.’s drop shots or side-line smashes.

I had been warned by many of my former Thomas Cup friends not to over-stretch myself on the court, especially when I had not been active regularly. They said I would probably be carried out on a stretcher!

So I was minding my own business, giving tips to T.L. as we practised.

During a lull, one elderly guy who had been eyeing us like a hawk said to me: “You must have been some player during your younger days, yes?”

“No-lah,” was my evasive reply, because I didn’t want to go into details with a stranger as to why I didn’t follow through into big-time badminton.

I still remember the words of my old editor, Wilson De Souza, many years ago, when I asked him for leave to play in a national tournament.

He told me: “I employ you to write, not to play badminton!”

That broke my heart, as I was in my prime then and could dash around the court like a squirrel.

Upon looking back, I was glad that he had said those words to me. Had I focused on badminton, my shelf life as a player would have been very short.

I would have eventually slowed down and begun losing in competitions. I would have slipped into a mundane administrative, marketing or teaching position then.

And, worse, I wouldn’t have been able to have the career I had in journalism.

I also wouldn’t have been able to continue to borak via my writing, or meet so many interesting people in my twilight years.

Thanks, Mr De Souza!

Jeff Yong, after making his mark in the twisty maze of mainstream journalism, has finally decided to enjoy what he does best – observing the unusual and recounting the gleeful. He can be contacted at lifestyle.borak@gmail. com.