KUALA LUMPUR: Singles shuttlers Lee Chong Wei and Wong Mew Choo spent nearly four hours on the court on the first day of centralised training at the Juara Stadium in Bukit Kiara yesterday with the rest of the players for the Olympics.
They were at the stadium before the crack of dawn but their coach, Misbun Sidek, beat them to it by being the first to arrive.
Inspiring ’em: Coach Misbun Sidek giving instructions to his two charges – Wong Mew Choo and Lee Chong Wei – in front of an Olympic Games banner at the Juara Stadium in Bukit Kiara yesterday. Olympic banners have been strung all around the stadium to give the shuttlers a feel of the Games. While Misbun had his reasons for starting training at 6.30am, he is also looking at the bigger picture and is confident that the tough sessions would put his charges on a strong footing to achieve their goals in Beijing next month.
Despite the strenuous training sessions, both players remained in high spirits and were in jovial mood in between breaks with their sparring partners and also the media. Back-up squad shuttler Tan Chun Seang also read out personal words of encouragement to Chong Wei and Mew Choo.
Misbun, who had trained the duo at the Michael Badminton Academy in Bandar Puteri Puchong for the last two weeks, welcomed the change of environment.
“The shuttlers may not be feeling it as much as when they arrive in Beijing but the Olympic atmosphere is there,” he said.
“The atmosphere here feels more like a market than a training venue. This is good for the players. When they see so many reporters, it’s also a way for them to handle the expectations. And I’m happy they are controlling their emotions well.”
Misbun added the main objective for getting the two up to train early is not just to stop them from going out late at night but also, more importantly, to build a sense of confidence in their game.
“They are enjoying their training and this should make them ready for any tough challenges,” he said.
“I was the first to arrive today but they have sometimes beaten me to it. I’m happy with their commitment and after all the preparations they go through, playing in the Olympics should be their happiest moments.
“It is four years of waiting to play in the Olympics and I will be surprised if they do not feel this way in their hearts.”
The Olympic atmosphere is building up as the nine shuttlers assembled for the first time in their preparation for the Games.
Under the instructions of mental trainer Frederick Tan, Beijing Olympics banners were strung up at the venue yesterday and Malaysian flags will go up today.
With two weeks remaining before the players leave for Beijing, Misbun added the focus was now on touching up their finishing.
“The priority is also on making sure they stay in good condition and have no injuries,” he said.
The third singles player in the team, Wong Choong Hann, who trains under Wong Tat Meng, was also at the Juara Stadium yesterday. The three doubles pairs are under the charge of Rexy Mainaky. They are Choong Tan Fook-Lee Wan Wah, Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong and Chin Eei Hui-Wong Pei Tty.
The Star
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