Grandad Razif eager to see more youngsters step up

KUALA LUMPUR: Do we have to wait for former badminton doubles great Datuk Razif Sidek’s first grandchild to be a saviour in badminton?

“I certainly hope not,” laughed Razif, who was Malaysia’s former All-England champion with brother Jalani Sidek in 1982.

The 1992 Thomas Cup winner Razif and wife Datin Khalidah Khalid became grandparents when their third child Nur Fazlina gave birth to a bubbly boy Rayn Haider Ahmad Hilmi on Dec 13.

Razif’s youngest son Muhd Fazriq is already making a name for himself in badminton.

The 14-year-old Fazriq has won several junior titles this year, including the boys’ Under-15 singles and doubles titles at the National Schools (MSSM) badminton competition in Port Dickson in March.

Like other badminton enthusiasts, Razif is eager to see more youngsters come through the ranks to win honours for Malaysia.

Currently, Malaysia are scrapping the barrel for new stars to emerge.

“We are starved of new talents. I hope to see more talents – whether from the club or national team – to make their way to the top,” he said.

“My son Fazriq is showing more potential in the doubles than singles ... hopefully he’ll keep the family tradition going. His physical condition can be better but he has the fighting spirit.”

Razif said there would be more opportunities for youngsters to step up following the absence of seniors in the team.

National No. 1 men’s singles shuttler Lee Chong Wei is recovering from nose cancer and top mixed doubles pair Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying have left the national team to seek fortunes as independent shuttlers while several others have also left the national fold.

“There are vacant spots following the exits of several senior players, and I hope our back-up players will use this opportunity to prove their worth,” he said.

“There is only one setback for BAM (Badminton Association of Malaysia) to let their seniors go – the juniors will lack quality training in the national centre.

“But then, the show must go on.”