Kejayaan pasangan beregu muda badminton negara, Teo Ee Yi-Ong Yew Sin, menjuarai Terbuka Bitburger, serta Chooi Kah Ming-Low Juan Shen yang mengungguli Cabaran Antarabangsa Indonesia adalah petanda awal bahawa Malaysia sudah mempunyai barisan pelapis yang mantap.
Tanpa diduga, barisan beregu muda negara mempamerkan prestasi yang membanggakan apabila mengungguli kejuaraan mereka yang pertama.
Ee Yi-Yew Sin serta Kah Ming-Juan Shen baru sahaja digandingkan sejak setahun lalu oleh jurulatih beregu negara, Jeremy Gan.
Walaupun masih awal untuk membuat ramalan, Jeremy yakin pasangan itu mampu menjadi prospek terbaik negara kelak berdasarkan prestasi perlawanan dan komitmen kedua-dua pasangan itu ketika sesi latihan.
"Memang bagus mereka menjuarai Terbuka Bitburger kerana ini akan menyuntik keyakinan mereka untuk berdepan lawan di peringkat lebih tinggi.
"Ini permulaan yang baik bagi mereka, saya berasa mereka perlu lebih bersedia untuk menghadapi cabaran yang lebih besar," ujarnya.
Nada sama diutarakan Pengarah Teknikal, Persatuan Badminton Malaysia (BAM), Morten Frost, yang menjangkakan mereka mampu menjadi pencabar utama dalam tempoh setahun lagi.
Di sebalik kejayaan cemerlang barisan beregu muda negara, Frost juga melahirkan kebimbangan terhadap perkembangan barisan pemain muda perseorangan negara yang masih lagi belum mencapai prestasi yang diharapkan.
"Tidak diragui lagi pemain perseorangan wanita kita semakin meningkat manakala perseorangan lelaki kita pula bergelut.
"Ketika saya mula menggalas tugas ini 20 bulan lalu, barisan beregu lelaki adalah masalah utama yang kami hadapi.
"Dan sekarang perseorangan lelaki seperti Iskandar (Zulkarnain Zainuddin) melaksanakan tugasnya dengan baik. Namun, aksi pemain di bawah Iskandar masih kurang memuaskan," kata Frost.
Shaiful Shamsudin
Tue Nov 08 2016


US PGA Championship: 'Everything was difficult' for Rahm while Thomas hits the front
Justin Thomas took the lead after scoring a second straight 67, while world number two Jon Rahm struggled at the US PGA Championship.

Wimbledon defends Russian, Belarusian ban amid WTA and ATP penalties
The All England Club has hit out at the ATP, WTA and ITF after Wimbledon was stripped of any ranking points for this year.

Wimbledon loses ATP ranking points for 2022 over Russia and Belarus ban
The ATP Tour has responded to Wimbledon's ban on Russian and Belarusian players by stripping it of any ranking points this year.

French Open: Osaka worried before Roland Garros return, readying herself for hecklers
The past 12 months have been tricky for Naomi Osaka, and the prospect of a Roland Garros news conference prompted concern.

Federer hopes to emulate 'incredibly inspiring' Nadal injury recovery
Long-time rivals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal have struggled with injuries, and the former has taken inspiration from the Spaniard.

Alexander-Arnold: Liverpool's quadruple hunt 'special', regardless of Premier League outcome
Though Liverpool begin the Premier League's final day as title outsiders, Trent Alexander-Arnold says their quadruple bid has been historic.

Gerrard riled by questions over his integrity ahead of Man City showdown
Steven Gerrard is a Liverpool legend, and his former club are hoping for a favour when his Aston Villa team face Manchester City.

Mancini blames Serie A system for failing to provide Italy with youthful talent
Consecutive failures to qualify for the World Cup have led to widespread criticism of the Italian system, and Roberto Mancini agrees.

The Numbers Game: Manchester City ready to disappoint Steven Gerrard and Liverpool
Manchester City could be pipped by Liverpool on the final day of the Premier League season, but data offers scant encouragement to the Reds.

FA condemns spate of pitch invasions
The Football Association will investigate several recent pitch invasions, condemning fans' behaviour after numerous instances of violence.