BAM to bring in psychologist to work on players’ mental tenacity ahead of Games

SHAH ALAM: The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) will bring in psychologist Frederick Tan to help boost the confidence and mental strength of the country’s shuttlers ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games scheduled from July 26-Aug 11.

Academy of Badminton Malaysia (ABM) administrative director Michelle Chai said with the appointment of Frederick, it will help build the will power of the players, despite psychological services already being provided by the National Sports Institute (NSI).

“We did have (experts) psychologists before but we depended on NSI and now BAM have their own (psychologist) who is primed to the RTG (Road To Gold) programme. We are always looking for ways to improve (what is lacking in the national team).

“Frederick’s selection is based on his experience. So in these four to five months, we will redouble our efforts to help the national players,” she said at the Setia City Convention Centre yesterday.

Frederick will start his full-time duties from Feb 23.

Meanwhile, ABM coaching director Rexy Mainaky hopes Frederick can hold a four-eye meeting (one-to-one) with the players who are on the list of the RTG programme to unravel the mental problems that has been plaguing them.

Currently the country’s top men’s doubles and former world champions Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah (women’s doubles), Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei (mixed doubles) and national men’s singles Ng Tze Yong are in the RTG programme.

“In the Olympics, (with) multi events, we need to work things out... if we don’t work out the players’ thinking and what to achieve, whatever we do in training is not going to work. On Feb 23, (we must) make sure Frederick sits with all the players to find their wavelength (what is needed),” said Rexy.

Frederick has served with the national badminton champion Datuk Lee Chong Wei before. — Bernama