Advisable to keep Kien Keat-Boon Heong in check WHEN, en route to a Asian-level tournament, athletes stop over to lend support to a political campaign, then we know for sure that we are aiding and abetting big-headedness. This is what happened to rising men’s doubles Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong prior to last week’s Asian Badminton Championships in Johor Baru, as they, along with a couple of officials, dropped by Machap which was preparing for a by-election. While it is understandable that everybody wants a piece of the pair, we have to remember that they have to be nurtured carefully for, as harsh as it may sound, they haven’t won anything yet. Yes, the Asian Games gold in Doha ended a long wait while winning three out of five tournaments they have played in this year is a great achievement but these are tournaments which other Malaysians shuttlers have won before, and on countless occasions at that. What we want to see Kien Keat-Boon Heong winning are the World Championships and Olympics, which Malaysians have never won before. While doubles coach Rexy Mainaky didn’t mince words in his rebuke of Kien Keat for his showboating antics in Johor Baru, he also made a plea that the invitations for the pair to grace one function after another, should stop. Rexy was a winner as a player and he should know what he is talking about. It is a fact that Malaysians are quite easily satisfied when it comes to the sporting arena hence the adulation that Kien Keat-Boon Heong have been enjoying since returning from the Swiss Open. But, as Rexy said, the road to the World Championships and Olympics is one steeped in challenges and the pair have to remain level-headed if they want to emulate what their coach did, win both. What Rexy needs is for the pair to improve further their strength and he also knows that the world’s other top pairs would have been doing their homework to stop Kien Keat-Boon Heong from ruling men’s doubles. It is lucky for the pair that defeat came in the Asian Championships, a low-key tournament lacking the rest of Asia’s top pairs and they don’t have to look very far to find out how easy it is to get into a rut. Singles players Lee Chong Wei and Hafiz Hashim are in that rut now and one wonders what Misbun Sidek can do to revive the careers of both his charges. Also, the BA of Malaysia deserves a rap on the knuckles for allowing Kien Keat-Boon Heong to get involved in too many extra-curricular activities. As a responsible association, BAM has a duty to protect its players especially as it knows that Malaysia will head into the Beijing Olympics with badminton as the only realistic medal hope. BAM has no reason to bow to pressure and the players should only be allowed to attend functions which don’t affect their training and not make them swollen-headed. Kien Keat-Boon Heong are a rare find and they must be nurtured to excel at higher stages, not allowed to be easily satisfied. -nst-
Sorry if anyone actually believes that the Malaysian politicians will behave responsibly. Makes me mad but BAM cannot do anything about it because they are (or were) run by the politicians from the same group (National Front/Barisan Nasional). I hope the people don't vote for them just because they brought them there to try to garner more votes. This will teach them not to bring any more sportsmen/women in the future because it will have a negative effect on their campaign. However, I don't put much hope in that happening.
Sorry if anyone actually believes that the Malaysian politicians will behave responsibly. No, we don't believe that...that is why politicians are among the least respected professions in the world...hahaha!
