DESPITE our badminton mixed doubles pair losing the final at Rio to the Indonesians, the nation is proud and appreciative of Chan Peng Soon and Goh Liu Ying who displayed fantastic sportsmanship and commitment with true grit, indomitable courage and sheer determination to reach the final and win the silver for Malaysia.
Whoever thought that this Malaysian pair who were not expected to cross the quarter-final stage could reach the pinnacle of an international badminton event at the Rio Olympics.
It is no shame losing to the Indonesian pair, Tontowi Ahmad and Liliyana Natsir, as the Indonesians were an experienced pair and much better prepared, while Peng Soon and Liu Ying were neither seeded nor expected to survive the group stage, or at the most, the quarter-final stage, but they proved the nation and their opponents wrong by marching gallantly and courageously into the final,taking on the might of the Indonesian pair without fear.
Losing is no shame as reaching the final is itself an achievement by all counts.
Peng Soon and Liu Ying can stand tall among their peers in the badminton world and they cannot be taken lightly from today.
Despite the odds against them from the group stage, Peng Soon and Liu Ying have what it takes to bring the best out of them to the forefront of attention by those who qualified for the semi-final that this unexpected Malaysian pair have much to offer and cannot be written off or taken lightly.
Their silver medals were achieved under very trying conditions where not only skills and fitness count but their ability to keep calm, focus and undeterred by superior opponents would determine the winners. Both displayed courage beyond what we expected. They deserved commendation and praise for a job well done.
Their fighting spirit was exemplary, admirable and laudable in many ways and should motivate and inspire our aspiring sportsmen and women never to give up but to strive with commitment in the search for sports honours and excellence.
We can only wish Peng Soon and Liu Ying well as they continue to represent the nation and to thrill the world with their gusty approach to the sport.
Surely after the Rio, they will be given due respect at regional or international badminton tournaments for being the world's second best in the mixed doubles. This is their first step to many victories to come. In the meantime, walk tall with your accomplishment.
We are also looking forward to our main doubles pair, Goh V Shem and Tan Wee Kiong, and Datuk Lee Chong Wei in the singles to battle it out for that elusive gold. To the three, we say, "You can do it. Claim your gold with gusto for the nation."
Dr Tan Eng Bee
Kajang
Whoever thought that this Malaysian pair who were not expected to cross the quarter-final stage could reach the pinnacle of an international badminton event at the Rio Olympics.
It is no shame losing to the Indonesian pair, Tontowi Ahmad and Liliyana Natsir, as the Indonesians were an experienced pair and much better prepared, while Peng Soon and Liu Ying were neither seeded nor expected to survive the group stage, or at the most, the quarter-final stage, but they proved the nation and their opponents wrong by marching gallantly and courageously into the final,taking on the might of the Indonesian pair without fear.
Losing is no shame as reaching the final is itself an achievement by all counts.
Peng Soon and Liu Ying can stand tall among their peers in the badminton world and they cannot be taken lightly from today.
Despite the odds against them from the group stage, Peng Soon and Liu Ying have what it takes to bring the best out of them to the forefront of attention by those who qualified for the semi-final that this unexpected Malaysian pair have much to offer and cannot be written off or taken lightly.
Their silver medals were achieved under very trying conditions where not only skills and fitness count but their ability to keep calm, focus and undeterred by superior opponents would determine the winners. Both displayed courage beyond what we expected. They deserved commendation and praise for a job well done.
Their fighting spirit was exemplary, admirable and laudable in many ways and should motivate and inspire our aspiring sportsmen and women never to give up but to strive with commitment in the search for sports honours and excellence.
We can only wish Peng Soon and Liu Ying well as they continue to represent the nation and to thrill the world with their gusty approach to the sport.
Surely after the Rio, they will be given due respect at regional or international badminton tournaments for being the world's second best in the mixed doubles. This is their first step to many victories to come. In the meantime, walk tall with your accomplishment.
We are also looking forward to our main doubles pair, Goh V Shem and Tan Wee Kiong, and Datuk Lee Chong Wei in the singles to battle it out for that elusive gold. To the three, we say, "You can do it. Claim your gold with gusto for the nation."
Dr Tan Eng Bee
Kajang