Sunday, 14 February 2010
Bandar Seri Begawan - The Brunei national shuttlers have been training the past two months at the Menglait Sports Complex without a head coach in sight.
According to national captain, who is the current national No 1, Jaspar Yu, the team has been slacking and found it hard to keep their motivations high without the guidance of their ex-coach Wu Xue Kai of China.
"The national team has been without a head coach for two months now and it is disappointing not to hear any updates coming from the authorities," said the 21-year-old Jaspar. When asked of his overview regarding the recently concluded Yonex Brunei Open, he said that everyone in the team did well fighting on the courts even without proper preparations. However, the results would have been better if their coach was with them the whole time before and during the tournament.
Jaspar also took time to express his concern for the current national equipment sponsorship that is increasingly a hot topic in the training camp. The national players via the Brunei National Badminton Association are in equipment sponsorship contract with the Yonex Sunrise Company from Singapore.
"As far as I know, all national players are entitled to two annual sponsorships and probably additional sponsors for tournaments. We have not received any equipment since January 2009," said Jaspar. When asked of the national side's next tournament preparations, Jaspar said that nothing is certain at the moment.
In 2009, the national side has been excluded from international tournaments for the whole year due to a budget according to feedbacks from the badminton association. The national side had only been involved in one local hosted Borneo Games for the whole of 2009 and they have bagged two targeted bronze medals in both the men and women's team event under the charge of the China-born coach Wu.
Jaspar said that there are many potential players in Brunei and he would like to see these players being groomed in the right direction with a proper training system and enough tournament exposures. The recent Yonex Brunei Open in fact has proven the national No 1 right, as many young players from all four districts showcased their abilities.
"I think what the governing bodies need to tackle immediately is to consider and appoint a qualified head coach. Most of us are heading downstream and that is not good.
"We've had a frustrating year in 2009 and we're entering February 2010. This is time for the authorities concerned to realise the importance of the role they play," he said.
Jaspar was also picked by the organisers of the Yonex Brunei Open as a Brunei representative to feature in the mixed-double exhibition match on the final day against the Japanese mixed-double icon pair of Reiko Shiota - Shintaro Ikaeda.
"It was my first time ever playing in an exhibition match and to be honest I didn't think I played my best to the crowds. However, I've learnt a great experience.
"I wasn't at my best condition to begin with since we're two months without a coach and proper training," he added.
"The Japanese are world class. There is an obvious gap between their levels and mine but I hope to close in that gap given the right opportunity. I believe we have enough talents in Brunei", said the 21-year-old confidently.
how come these things happend?? i was very disapointed when reading this...hope some one will hear it yours problem
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