Never forget the grassroots
"These players are very keen and with expert guidance and encouragement would produce a new crop of players ready to supplement the school team when some players have to leave next year." That was an excerpt taken from Tan Sri Tengku Mahaleel Tengku Ariff ’s article that appeared in the Sultan Ismail College, Kota Baru school magazine in 1966. The article was sent to me by Tengku Mahaleel’s former school teacher Jacob Matthews who had coached the Under-15 team which became east coast champions in the King’s Cup in 1966. Tengku Mahaleel was the badminton school captain and today, he is the BA of Malaysia (BAM) president. Before making ambitious statements, Tengku Mahaleel ought to take a step back and realise what makes a champion. He should know that it starts from grassroot development. BAM should rope in the various stakeholders including universities and clubs to expand the pool of talent. The onus should not be on BAM alone to mould talents. Shuttlers ...