It has been a challenging yet exciting time for Muhammad Deen.
The 29-year-old sports psychologist who joined the BA of Malaysia just before the partial lockdown in March has had a rollercoaster ride.
Yet, the Leceister born-and-bred is bullish that the national shuttlers have what it takes to bounce back from the adversities of the Covid-19 pandemic and to put up a good show once some sense of normality kicks in.
“It’s a new situation. Pre-Covid-19 days, we knew what to expect and anticipate, but today, we have to find new ways to be creative (in reaching out to the athlete),” said Muhammad, who speaks Bahasa Melayu fluently.
“It also helps to push my own boundaries. The main focus is making sure the commitment is still there. The players have done a really good job and have handled it like champions.”
However, athletes aren’t the only ones facing challenges. Even Muhammad has plenty going on in his personal life as some of his family members in UK were diagnosed with Covid-19.
UK has been placed under a month-long lockdown as the number of Covid-19 cases has spiked to over 1.1 million with more than 48,000 deaths.
“It’s been a bit up and down. I had a lot going on.
“It’s part of everyday life and we have to embrace it.”
While our national athletes are often seen as “superhuman”, Muhammad was quick to point out that being strong doesn’t mean they are invincible.
“If an athlete breaks down, it doesn’t mean they are weak. What the athletes are really good at is that they are good are putting up a front.
“The coronavirus is another stressor that they have to deal with. Athletes want to compete, that’s what they signed up for.”
The national shuttlers have been confined at Akademi Badminton Malaysia since June as some of them gear up for the biggest sporting event next year – the Tokyo Olympics. Badminton has always been Malaysia’s medal prospect.
Having spent close to six years in Malaysia, he knows what the sport means to Malaysians. Muhammad, who also runs MD Performance Psychology, however was realistic in his assessment ahead of the Summer Games.
“It’s a pressure cooker situation. It’s a privilege for me to work with the badminton players and we have been waiting for success (gold medal) for such a long time,” he said.
“Badminton is the best shot. We do have world-class players, no doubt.
“We still have time (for the Olympics). (The disruption in training and competition) is not just a Malaysian issue as it’s the same with other nations with things remaining uncertain.”
He said the best way to move forward is to stay focused.
“If there are any distractions, we just have to let it go. We can do it,” he added.
