Malaysia’s Youth and Sports Minister, Hannah Yeoh’s proactive and refreshing approach in motivating our world No. 2 men’s doubles badminton pair, Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin Rumsani, ahead of the upcoming prestigious All England Open Championships in Birmingham (March 11-16) is commendable.
Her personal involvement and unwavering support send a strong message – “I care, and you can do it”.
Words of encouragement like “Give your best, and the best will come to you” will undoubtedly resonate in the players’ minds, especially when they face tough moments on the court. When the chips are down, such motivation from the highest authority in Malaysian sports can make all the difference.
This supposedly simple gesture by Yeoh is not just symbolic; it is deeply impactful. In a high-stakes tournament like the All England, every bit of encouragement matters. Her deep involvement a few weeks before the tournament signals to the players that they are not alone — that the nation stands behind them, willing them to succeed.
It is a refreshing approach from a sports minister who genuinely invests in the progress of our athletes rather than merely celebrating victories after the fact.
Winning the All England title is one of the highest achievements in badminton, alongside the Olympic gold, the World Championships, and the Thomas Cup. For Malaysia, it has been an 18-year wait for a men’s doubles title at this historic tournament. With the right support and motivation, could this be the year we finally reclaim the crown?
With Yeoh at the helm, Malaysian badminton has a strong pillar of support. Let’s hope that with her encouragement, Goh and Nur Izzuddin will rise to the occasion and bring home the All England men’s doubles title, adding another glorious chapter to our nation’s badminton history.
The views expressed here are the personal opinion of the writer and do not necessarily represent that of Twentytwo13.
