Rashid wants his charges to follow Chong Wei

KUANTAN: National singles chief coach Rashid Sidek will guide his back-up players to imitate world No. 1 Lee Chong Wei to become better players.

Besides daily on court sparring sessions, Rashid is also trying out different ways to build a close rapport off court between the back-up players and Chong Wei.

For a start, Tan Chun Seang was selected as Chong Wei’s room mate for two recent tournaments. Chun Seang shared a room with Chong Wei in Guangzhou during the Sudirman Cup three weeks ago and also in Kuantan during the just concluded Pahang Open.

And three other players under Rashid’s charge – Liew Daren, Mohd Arif Abdul Latif and Chong Wei Feng – can look forward to similar arrangements in the near future.

Through closer ties, Rashid hoped that the back-up players will pick up the positive traits from Chong Wei.

Rashid said that the country’s second stringers should idolise a top player as an inspiration to move up in their game.

The Pahang Open showed that the gap in standard is still wide between the back-up players and Chong Wei, who won the title to extend his domination in local circuit for the eighth straight year.

“Chong Wei is an ideal role model for them. Unfortunately our players are not following the good examples set by him,” said Rashid.

“Chong Wei is a top player but he still goes the extra mile. No one has to tell him to come early for training. He has his own initiative to succeed.

“I hope Chun Seang and other back-up players will keep learning things from Chong Wei – on and off the court. Does Chong Wei sleep early and what does he talk about? How does Chong Wei handle success and failure?”

Rashid added that it worked for him when he attempted to achieve success as a player.

“I really looked up to my brothers. I used to follow Misbun (Sidek) wherever he goes. I also tagged along with Foo Kok Keong. I learnt a lot from them. I try to add variety to my game by learning what they do,” said Rashid.

“And during my time, (Ong) Ewe Hock used to hang out with me and aspire the same things like me.”

Rashid said that he would be out to live up to the Badminton Association of Malaysia’s (BAM) expectation of seeing his charges — Chun Seang, Arif, Liew Daren and Wei Feng — making breakthroughs in their careers.

In the recent Pahang Open, only Daren scored an upset win, beating second seed Mohd Hafiz Hashim in the second round.

“I am trying my best to help these players to raise the level of their game. We now have mental toughness programmes for them,” said Rashid.

“I am willing to go the distance with the players. But they must have the desire and initiative to do well.”