MALAYSIAN sportsmen and women should start to think seriously about the decline in their standards.

Except for squash queen Nicol David, performance of the others are either stagnant or have gone down the hill.

Badminton players such as Lee Chong Wei, Tan Boon Heong and Koo Kien Keat have no reasons to slack in their standard.

They have good coaches and have all the incentives and privileges handed over to them but they still could not sustain in the international field.

Of course, we don’t expect them to be champions all the time but it is disappointing when they lose to unknown players.

By any standard, these three players should be in the last eight of any tournament they take part in but what a shame when they lose to minnows and some in the first round.

I have no complaints about the veteran players like Wong Choon Hann and Roslin Hashim.

At least they are still trying to get a chance to play at the Olympics.

I urge Lee, Tan and Koo to learn a thing or two from Nicol on how to maintain their international rankings.

I believe it all boils down to discipline and attitude.

Nicol David is a real professional and was I glad when she said that she had about another 10 good years of squash in her.

She has been maintaining her ranking for some time and hopefully, she will keep on winning more honours to the country.

In all fairness, she might not be able to hang on to her world No 1 ranking forever but let’s all hope and pray that she will be able to create a record as the longest holder of No 1 ranking.

For all the sacrifices Nicol has given for her country, I sincerely hope the Government will reward her with a title.

She deserves it and Malaysians will be proud and appreciative if she is honoured by the Government.

JAYARAJ KGS
Sitiawan.

Source: The Star – March 25, 2008