After a spectacular performance from the national shuttlers in the Malaysian Masters Grand Prix Open last week, technical director of the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM), Morten Frost Hansen has urged all players to not be so confident of their skills within the country and instead should strive for better to compete internationally.
Despite the sterling improvements in the championship, Frost claimed that the scenario and challenges would be different if they were to play in international tournaments.
The championship saw three local acts in the finals stage. Badminton ace Lee Chong Wei and National GP champion Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin both went head to head in the men’s singles finals and the ultimate champion was no doubt the 33 year-old. Freshly paired mixed doubles duo Tan Kian Meng and Lai Pei Jing both pulled off an upset to set foot in the finals but stress overpowered the two and they lost to China’s Zheng Sinwei and Li Yinhui.
“It’s not easy when you play in tournaments overseas. In your own place and country, you’re used to the environment, food and what’s prepared for you is something you’re used to,” said Frost as quoted from Berita Harian.
“This is part of the challenge that needs to be overcome and I want all the players to be able to perform well in foreign tournaments.”
The national squad’s next stop will be in the Indian Open this week, followed by the Badminton Asia Team Championship in Hyderabad next month.
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