Physical conditioning a must in UAE: Coaches

Dubai - Talented UAE youngsters must devote more time for 'stamina building'.

UAE-based youngsters have it in them to go into mainstream badminton at home as they have the talent and drive, but what could keep them in the second tier is the lack of time and opportunity for physical training and stamina building, two coaches here feel.
Former Indonesian national team player Ala Mysyah and NIS, India qualified Shine Mathew say the youngsters here in the age group bracket of 8-16 have the potential provided they are able to improve their staying powers on the court.
"Some of the young ones I have coached here have all the required strokes and temperament but the time they have after their academics from the present 2-3 day weekly engagements of 3-4 hours each is not enough to put them on a higher pedestal," said Mysyah, senior coach at the Pro Badminton Academy wing of Dubai-based Strokes Sports Management during a summer camp session at the Dubai Sports World at the Dubai World Trade Centre, on Tuesday afternoon.
His colleague Mathew, a former varsities player, said: "I have noticed one thing about badminton players in general here and in India. Nearly all have good academic records and the parents here who have to relocate sooner or later keep another option open for their children with an academic standing in mind."
"The scene here is healthy for the growth of the sport as some good training centres have evolved in a short period of three to four years. The general trend is for weekly three-day programmes for the better players who have the stuff in them but without regular morning workouts which can be devoted for stamina building and leg strength, there will be limitations in the growth of an upcoming player."
The DSW camp has mostly new faces, most of them beginners and are eager to pick up the sport from the two experienced coaches, one with international exposure and the other with a groomed background in teaching the discipline.
Sara Siraj of grade nine (Indian High School) and 11th grader Abdulla Saheer (Our Own High School-Dubai) are two standout products of the institute mainly based in Rashidiya and Qusais with splendid shows recently in the age group events here. The others who were present on Tuesday during our interaction with them in between the various stages of the day's routines were Leksh (Our Own High School); tall Keith Suares, Indian High team player; Sajeev; Aswathi; and Arunima (Our Own Indian-Dubai).
On specialising in either singles or doubles at an early age, Msyah who won the above 45 doubles and mixed doubles crowns at the UAE Open at the India Club this season, said: "In Indonesia, Malaysia and many Asian countries, coaches advise trainees from the early phase. I in fact can train both categories, having had experience after I stopped playing international doubles. This is why these countries are able to absorb the shocks well in the singles during the Thomas, Uber and Sudirman cups."
He is of the view that the South East Asians have the natural built and talent, and the entry of many Filipinos in the sport in recent times is a good sign.
"Badminton is easily the most popular sport in India despite being a costly. It's the parents we have to admire for the time and sacrifice they put in to see their children go up from a very young age. Coaching in India is today very systematically drawn up and tailored for the individual needs of talented singles players. In doubles, the scene is still way behind as the dropouts from singles venture into it, and by the time they are past 25 or so, it's too late to stand up to the Chinese and the rest of the world," Mathew added.
moni@khaleejtimes.com