Chan showing a young participant the basics during the programme at Desa Permata Sports Complex in Ayer Itam. With them is Ng (background). — Photos by Buletin Mutiara
SEVERAL local badminton greats were in Penang to hold two coaching clinics, much to the delight of budding players who got to see the Malaysian heroes in action.
Former national stars Ong Ewe Hock, Ong Ewe Chye and Roslin Hashim held court as coaches during the “Klinik Badminton Kadun Padang Kota 2023”, at the Chinese Recreation Club (CRC) in Jalan Padang Victoria.
A total of 65 players, aged between eight and 25, took part in the session jointly organised by the Padang Kota Service Centre, Padang Kota Penang Youth Committee (JBPP) and Padang Kota Village Community Management Council (MPKK).
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said Ewe Hock, Ewe Chye and Roslin had contributed much to the development of badminton in Malaysia.
Chow said the clinic was open to all badminton enthusiasts, especially those still in school.
He also acknowledged the working adults who participated.
“Badminton is a sport that can be played even if we get old,” Chow told state publisher Buletin Mutiara.
Roslin showing off his skills during the Klinik Badminton Kadun Padang Kota 2023 at CRC.
Chow also partnered Ewe Hock in a friendly game against Roslin and Ewe Chye.
He showed his best strokes while the three former internationals players showed glimpses of their past brilliance.
Ewe Hock was a household name in the 1990s and early 2000s, winning the Malaysia Open twice in 1996 and 2001. He was also an important member of the men’s team that won the Kuala Lumpur Commonwealth Games (1998) and the Kuala Lumpur Sea Games (2001).
His brother Ewe Chye, best known for his partnership with Rahman Sidek, used to handle the national back-up doubles players in the 1990s.
Roslin was once the world number one singles player, and won international tournaments like the 1998 Dutch Open, 2001 Swiss Open, 2001 Japan Open and 2007 Japan Open.
The clinic, sponsored by redONE, was conducted by coaches from CRC Badminton Academy and PGBC Badminton Club.
Players were given free racquets, T-shirts and meals at the event.
Players going through the drills at the Klinik Badminton Kadun Padang Kota 2023.
At the “Swing That Racquet” with Chan Peng Soon programme in Permata Sports Complex in Ayer Itam, national player Chan Peng Soon said talent must go hand in hand with hard work to achieve success.
“If you have talent, do not think that is enough. You must work hard,” he said, noting that one participant, a seven-year-old boy, showed a lot of promise.
“He was able to receive the shots beautifully. But if he does not work hard, he cannot go far.
“I have seen how hard Datuk Lee Chong Wei, my senior, trained. He did it intensively and that is the attitude of a champion,” said Chan, who won the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics mixed doubles silver medal with Goh Liu Ying,
Ayer Itam assemblyman Joseph Ng said the programme was organised by his service centre as a school holiday activity for children aged between seven and 12.
He told Buletin Mutiara that about 200 children from the neighbourhood took part in the two-day event, with each of them given free T-shirts.
“I have allocated RM9,500 for the programme which is conducted by the coaches from CPS Academy.
“The most important thing is to have Chan over here to inspire them,” Ng said.
He pointed out that Chan is an Ayer Itam boy.
