NO player is above the country’s interest or the organisation they belong to, said BA of Malaysia (BAM) coaching director Wong Choong Hann yesterday.
Touching on the difference in culture between top badminton nations and that practised in Malaysia, Choong Hann reiterated that everyone, including himself, is replaceable if they fail to understand this.
It is learnt that several national players have not only become big headed but are proving to be a handful to their respective coaches.
This does not bode well for BAM, especially with recent poor results and the one-year Olympic qualifying period fast approaching (May 1).
“There’s always going to be a slight difference in culture. In countries like Japan and South Korea, seniority comes first but in Malaysia, we have a different style.
“Here the interest of the country and BAM comes first.
“Players need to understand that coaches are here to guide them to become better but there’s going to be a timeframe on how fast they adapt.
“This is a fact of life, anywhere in the world, no one is irreplaceable, this goes for me, the coaches and even the players.
“It may not sound nice but it is the truth, and the sooner the players understand this, the better it is for them.
“It is the coaches’ job to push a player to the limit and to make them feel uncomfortable.
“We are here to tell them what they need to hear and not what they want to,” said Choong Hann after the BA of Malaysia’s council meeting at the Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil yesterday.
As the sport is constantly evolving, the 42-year-old former World Championships runner-up believes Malaysian shuttlers must step up to become quick thinkers if they want to match the world’s best.
“Things are always evolving in badminton. We need to keep up, adapt and have a learning attitude because there’s always something new.
“Biggest change now is not only about a player’s mobility but also how fast they can think and react.
“Our minds are like software that needs to be updated. Top players are super fast in decision making and that is the difference between them and average players.
“We are Malaysians, we got that pride to uphold and be among the top. We need to step up,” added Choong Hann.
On a separate note, Choong Hann is still confident of maximum representations (two per country) in men’s singles, men’s doubles and mixed doubles at next year’s Tokyo Olympics.