Is there a Chong Wei replacement?

A big fat NOOO is the answer.

At least that's what Taufik Hidayat thinks. Even Lee Choong Wei agrees that there is no ready replacement.

Malaysia and Indonesia were long foes in badminton, this was before China emerged. While Malaysia can still rely on Chong Wei, Indonesia's Taufik and Simon Santoso are slowly fading away. They may be still in the top ten BWF ranking but they are no match for Lin Dan and Chong Wei.

Because Indonesia does not have a next generation of players ready to step in, Taufik vows to keep himself in the game as long as he can - if he can remain a top player.

"Look at Pete Gade... He's 34 but still going strong. Maybe I'll ask him what's his secret," said Taufik.

According to Taufik the Future looks dull as Malaysia and Indonesia lack depth in quality.

Meanwhile Chong Wei, agreeing wih Taufik, calls for Daren to step up

There is Zulfadli Zulkifli though. However the World and Asian junior champion will need a good few years of grooming. But let's not get carried away and hype him up. 

Goodbye Olympics

Gan Teik Chai has admitted that his pairing with Tan Bin Shen can only dream of the Olympics. The KLRC pair had lost to German pair Michael Fuchs and Oliver Roth 21-19, 21-13 at the Malaysia Open earlier.

pic taken from ssdhaliwal.blogspot.com

Shortly after the loss I spoke to Gan. Here's what he has to say.

"The Olympics dream is off. We have to face reality after losing in the first round today. It's impossible to qualify now... unless of course the extraordinary occurs (what he said it's best i leave it out)."

"I'm only getting older so I have to re-align my target."

According to Teik Chai, Bin Shen shares the same sentiments.

Only few days back I wrote about them starting their road to London at the Malaysia Open. Read it here

Anyway all the best Teik Chai and Bin Shen. and special thanks to Teik Chai for being ever so accommodating to me earlier.

Experience still holds winning hand.

It could have been the other way around... infact it should have been as well. 22-year old Arif Abdul Latiff could have shown the exit to the much higher ranked Wong Choon Hann but the veteran believes young Arif had got his tactics wrong.

Despite being years older, Choong Hann held his own after losing the first set. The match ended 22-24, 21-17, 21-14.

pic taken from The Malay Mail

The 34-year-old believes he could have easily lost the match.
"He only opened up and wasn't hesitant to attack late in the third set. If he had started earlier. He would have beaten me. 
Read all about it in today's Mailsport.
Latest: Choon Hann goes down fighting to Spaniard Pablo Abian 24-22, 21-18...
I didn't know Badminton was played there :p 

Start at home

There's no better place to resurrect one's career than at home.

That's exactly what KLRC pair Gan Teik Chai and Tan Bin Shien need to do at the on-going Malaysia Open.

pic taken from ssdhaliwal.blogspot.com

Since been dropped by BA of Malaysia from the World Championship in London last year, despite being the second ranked pair, the duo's ranking have dropped tremendously.

In a way BAM decision seems vindicated as they cited a drop of current form at that moment. 

Teik Chai and Bin Shien have fought their case to OCM, demanding there be proper guildelines for NSA to select players representing Malaysia.

Some feel that the players were victimised for leaving BAM and joining KLRC. 

Questions have not been answered yet but what a way to find resolve than putting BAM in the spot again.

For that, they will have to climb up the ranks once again and qualify for the London Olympics later this year.

Read all about it in today's Mailsport.

First their endured Shattered London dreams which lead to OCM stepping in. The pair insisted they only want to move on.

However no middle path was found and ultimately OCM left everyone guessing. The players claimed there was no beef with BAM but sources close to themrevealed they may seek arbitration - something everyone has been waiting for.

Former captain to call it quits?

by Vijhay Vick

H: HOCKEY:

KUALA LUMPUR
SAPURA coach I.Vikneswaran wants S.Kuhan to remain in the game for atleast another year despite not being at the top of his game during the Malaysian Hockey League (MHL) couple of months backs.

It is believed the Sapura skipper is toying with the idea of retiring to pave way for the younger generation to lead Sapura's future challenges.

"He still has so much to offer to the game. Of course he is not the player he used to be but he cannot be judged on last season's performance.

"But he will have to work harder than he played last year, that's for sure," said Vikneswaran.

Last season, Sapura started their campaign with an ill-prepared Kuhan. The 34-year-old had only joined their training session two days before the league kick-off as he was working offshore.

Understandably Vikneswaran attribute this to Kuhan's performance and hopes the former national player will not have work commitments offshore again come next season.

"This is the reason I don't think it's fair to judge him. Besides, he can be a good role model for the younger players. His experience can them progress as players," he added.

Kuhan, a penalty corner specialist during his heydays, donned the national colours from 1995 - 2006.

According to Vikneswaran Sapura is ready to blend youth and senoir players come next year - Hence Kuhan is needed.They target to become a top team in the next two to three years, by which of course surely Kuhan would have hung his stick.

As part of this long term goal Sapura, for the first time, will enter a team into the Malaysian Junior Hockey League (MJHL). The junior league kicks off on Jan 19.

Approximately hundred over players, as young as 13 underwent initial selections to play for Sapura. That figure has been trimmed down to 22 since.