Update 11th March

My rare moment glued to the TV happened this evening, during the 2nd set of the men’s doubles final. After having been disappointed so many times by so-near-yet-so far final matches dating back from the Razif-Jalani and Soon Kit-Kim Hock days, it was indeed a strange feeling seeing China’s world number one ranked pair crack under pressure and making one too many unforced errors.

When I saw that shuttle flying cross court to our left side of the court, I knew it was probably going to be out and with that, a quarter century of waiting would be over.

All coaches should do what Rexy Mainaky did on the sidelines: he kept pointing to his head, telling his proteges: focus!

The TV showed Koo (or was it Tan), turning around, saw where the shuttle landed, and erupted in ecstasy. The expression on their faces said it all. The connection back to Razif-Jalani ‘82 is now complete. Where Soon Kit-Beng Kiang-Kim Hock & Tan Fook-Wan Wah failed at the last hurdle, Kien Keat-Boon Heong unbelieveably succeeded.

Prepare for a rapturous home welcome, just like Hafiz experienced in 2003.

Next, the World Championships, the Olympics, the Thomas Cup and the world no.1 spot.
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When I follow newsreports about our sporting heroes, I always want to see what is it that we lack when facing challenges at the highest level. What do the others have that we don’t have?

I’ve been doing this for years, and the answer is always the same: lack of mental toughness, the ability to persevere under immense pressure - to maintain extreme focus.

Not lack of fitness, or fitness equipment, or luck, or skills, or determination, or even confidence - sometimes, our stars are guilty of being overconfident.

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