Getting it right: NSI physical training expert Shafiq Amran guiding Aaron Chia through a workout during a training session.
PETALING JAYA: The biggest concern of the national shuttlers during their final push for the Paris Olympics is injury risks and a drop in physical condition but these aspects are well covered by the National Sports Institute’s support staff (NSI) who are at the Aire Sur La Lys training camp in Northern France.
The 10-day camp is not just meant for men’s doubles Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, women’s pair Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah and mixed doubles combination Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei to sharpen their skills but there is plenty of emphasis to maintain their physical condition at an optimum level before moving to the Games Village.
NSI physical training expert Shafiq Amran said it is very important for the shuttlers to maintain their condition at the optimum level before heading to the Games.
“The players have arrived here in good condition and we have arranged a detailed programme to keep them in optimum condition until they arrive at the Games Village in Paris,” said Shafiq. “Every aspect from conditioning, physiotherapy and video analysis and recovery sessions are well detailed and we have our NSI staff looking at the needs of the shuttlers.
“A nutritionist is also present to provide the diet for the athletes and also to keep an eye on what they eat while a medical officer (Dr. Jazmiza Khuzairi Jasme) is also here.
“We have also arranged three sessions for conditioning in the 10-day camp as it is important to help the shuttlers to cope with training and avoid injuries.”
The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) have also listed three coaches – Tan Bin Shen (men’s doubles), Hoon Thien How (women’s doubles) and Nova Widianto (mixed doubles) – to guide the Malaysian pairs through the final phase. The presence of the support staff is also a relief for national coaching director Rexy Mainaky who had also thanked the Road to Gold committee for making it possible.
“Road to Gold committee have practically fulfilled all our requests in the run-up to the Paris Olympics. We are really grateful as their commitment is more than 100%,” said Rexy.
“Everything has been put in place and it is now for the players to go to Paris and perform their best.”
Aaron, who is in his second Olympics with Wooi Yik, has already given the thumbs up for the final phase preparation which began about five weeks ago and was pleased with the training camp at Aire Sur La Lys.
The senior pair have also improved their physical condition to a different level due to the intensive training, conditioning and a special diet by the nutritionist and the continued presence of the support services is likely to further boost their push for gold.
Pearly, who a history of injury issues, is also expected to gain from the support staff while regular mental training sessions is also set to help the three pairs, especially Tang Jie-Ee Wei, in pushing for a podium finish at the Olympics.
