Badminton Association of Malaysia - Back-up pairs must realise potential quick

			Tuesday, 07 September 2010

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Back-up pairs must realise potential quick

Thursday, 04 February 2010

THERE is plenty of potential in the men's back-up doubles but they have yet to pull their weight despite getting enough exposure on the international stage for more than three years.

They are on par with the elite combinations in terms of skill and power but have not managed to move up another level and enjoy the success of seniors Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong.

Ong Soon Hock, 25, used to partner Kien Keat as a junior while Thien How, 24, won the 2004 world junior title with Boon Heong, 23, but their achievements as seniors have been miles apart.

Younger pairs Mak Hee Chun (20) and Tan Wee Kiong (21) and Chan Peng Soon (23) and Lim Khim Wah (21) have shown promise but the results have not been forthcoming despite their immense talent.

Kien Keat has achieved results at a fast pace because of his character and confidence and with a more disciplined approach, he and Boon Heong can become Olympic and world champions.

Kien Keat, even in his junior days, had always been confident with a touch of arrogance and feared no one.

And more often than not, this attitude has helped him stare down his toughest opponents to secure victories.

He is always pumped-up when on court and often complements a reserved Boon Heong and Kien Keat's willingness to take risks saw the pair establish themselves early in their career.

Soon Hock-Thien How, Hee Chun-Wee Kiong and Peng Soon-Khim Wah must learn to cultivate Kien Keat's strong character as this will help remove their fear of top combinations.

Soon Hock-Thien How got their first breakthrough when they beat South Korea's Jung Jae Sung-Lee Yong Dae, the World No 2, but they must not stop there and instead strive to beat pairs like Indonesia's Markis Kido-Hendra Setiawan and China's Fu Haifeng-Cai Yun.

The same applies to Hee Chun-Wee Kiong and Peng Soon-Khim Wah as they too must have the self-belief to hunt down the top pairs and become world beaters.

This is the task set by back-up coach Pang Cheh Chang for the three pairs when they compete in the German Open and All England next month as he feels they have to make an impact fast or they will fail to realise their true potential.

Despite Kien Keat's strong character and confidence, he and Boon Heong have been inconsistent mainly because the former tends to underestimate opponents at times and his over-confidence has seen them suffer shock defeats.

This is something the back-up pairs must avoid as remaining level-headed will bring them success on a more regular basis.

Kien Keat-Boon Heong themselves would love to have another top class pair emerge from the back-up squad especially now that fellow seniors Zakry Latif-Fairuzizuan Tazari are in a rut and the three pairs must seize the initiative.

There are many major events to look forward to this year and if Soon Hock-Thien How, Hee Chun-Wee Kiong and Peng Soon-Khim Wah have good runs, their careers could just take off.

Courtesy of New Straits Times