ISKANDAR Zulkarnain Zainuddin (pic) never expected to find himself back at the Asian Games 12 years later in a completely different role, let alone sharing the experience with his younger brother Ameer Amri Zainuddin.
Iskandar is now in charge of the national women’s singles squad, while Ameer is part of the Malaysian badminton contingent at the Aichi-Nagoya Games, handling independent men’s doubles pair Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani and mixed doubles duo Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie.
The occasion is even more special for the brothers as they never had the chance to be in the same Malaysian team during their playing days.
“It feels very different, but the most important thing is that I’m representing Malaysia again.
“When I played at the Asian Games 12 years ago, I only featured in the men’s team event, so I did not gain much experience from it.
“This time, I’m here with the women’s singles squad and I hope they can do their best,” said Iskandar.
His return to the Asian Games was made sweeter after Malaysia’s women’s team beat Hong Kong 3-0 yesterday to reach the quarter-finals.
It was also a fitting result for Iskandar as the last time Malaysia fielded a women’s team at the Asian Games was in Incheon in 2014, which was also the last time he competed at the Games as a player.
Iskandar featured once in the men’s team event then, helping Malaysia beat Nepal 3-0 in the quarter-finals.
At the same time, Iskandar is also proud to have Ameer alongside him, with the Zainuddin brothers hoping to play their part in Malaysia’s Asian Games campaign.
“I think my family are very proud, although our roles here are quite different.
“Our badminton philosophies are also very different, but we often discuss the game when we are at home.
“So to be here together at the Asian Games is something special. For me, it is also nice to have someone close whom I can talk to whenever I need to,” he added.
