YOU BROUGHT HOME THE THOMAS CUP IN 1992 AND DID US PROUD, DATUK PUNCH GUNALAN. SO FAREWELL AND THANK YOU!
 Punch Gunalan passes awayBadminton legend Datuk Punch Gunalan passed away peacefully early Wednesday. He was 68. He was one of the coaches who helped Malaysia win the Thomas Cup in 1992.TODAY, EVERY MALAYSIAN KNOWS OF DATUK LEE CHONG WEI WHO WON SILVER TWICE IN THE 2008 AND 2012 OLYMPICS. BEFORE DATUK LEE AND LIN DAN WAS THE GREAT RIVALRY BETWEEN DATUK PUNCH GUNALAN AND INDONESIA'S RUDY HARTONO. YOUNGER MALAYSIANS UNDER 30 MAY NOT HAVE HEARD MUCH OF DATUK PUNCH GUNALAN BUT THE INDIAN PLAYER WAS A SUPERSTAR IN HIS HEYDAY AND WE ALL MISS HIM. HE WAS CONSIDERED YOUNG WHEN HE LEFT US AS HE WAS ONLY 68. HIS DEMISE WAS DUE TO LIVER CANCER. BEFORE HE ASCENDED TO HEAVEN, MALAYSIA'S FIRST SPORTING BADMINTON HERO ANWERED 10 QUESTIONS FROM THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND HERE THEY ARE. In the article below, Datuk Punch Gunalan answered 10 questions from readers of THE STAR, Malaysia's top newspaper with a daily readership of 1.55 million! Of course most of you may have already read this but I am sure many would like to refresh their memory.I do. He could take a lesson on discipline from her. She has only squash on her mind and she does her training with a clear mind. Our boys are not to be blamed. I always blame the management, who give them the leeway to act that way (lack of discipline). BAM (Badminton Association of Malaysia) has done the right thing by employing a part-time or full-time training director responsible for the development of the high-level team. The results are already showing based on the Commonwealth Games. I’m hopeful for the same at the Asian Games.  We have failed to produce follow-up players who can replace people like Lee Chong Wei. We always think of the champions and give them all the rewards. But this needs to change as we need to keep producing good players to succeed the champs who retire. What was your golden moment? What would you advise the future generation of badminton players? Nicky Chan Kah Poh, Penang The best moment of my playing days was winning the Commonwealth Games gold medal for Malaysia in 1974, at the Christchurch Stadium, New Zealand. This may be a surprise as many would expect me to say it was winning the All England doubles title with Ng Boon Bee. But winning Malaysia’s only gold medal from badminton gave me the best satisfaction. I was also able to fulfil my greatest ambition of having won the men’s singles and doubles titles for all the three games we represented Malaysia in. (There was no Olympics as it was only introduced in 1992.) I had won the singles and doubles in the SEAP Games in Rangoon in 1969, gold medals in the singles and doubles in the Asian Games in Bangkok in 1970 and the gold medal in the 1970 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh, Scotland. So, I wanted the gold medal from men’s singles in the Commonwealth Games in 1974. Advice to the young – please note there is a way to financial gains in badminton too as proven by Lee Chong Wei who lives comfortably now given his winnings and endorsements. Always give your best and you will not be disappointed. Self-discipline, dedication and determination to succeed should be utmost in your mind. Another important factor is encouraging parents. I am what I am due to my father. He even used to bet against me in a match and hit me to discourage me from playing another sport. He did this because he believed in me, that I would succeed one day. What do you think of the Malaysian government’s intention to have each student involved in at least one type of sports by next year? Tabitha CC Boi, Penang It is an important step. It is a massive exercise. Imagine the number of coaches this programme will need to ensure that each school has a competent teacher. It is a start of something better to come.  FLSHBACK: Punch Gunalan in action with doubles partner Dominic
Soong My choice of the world’s best player is based on who has the best strokes. I still consider Lin Dan of China to be the best player in the world although he is not the world’s No. 1 in terms of ranking. I would rather not compare today’s players with those of the past. We are from two different worlds. We did not have colour TV then. In fact, TV was a luxury. We cycled to play. Now the fathers bring their sons or daughters in a car or the person drives to the venue. We can only compare footwork with footwork and a smash with a smash. The equipment are also different; the weight of the racket is also different. Who did you get inspiration from while in the court? James N, Selangor I used to play singles and doubles initially as they were so few of us playing the game at the top level. After the 1972 incident in Kenya when I was playing with Tan Aik Huang in the finals, I had collapsed in the second game after having won the first. I was diagnosed as having a small lung (half the size of a regular one). I then gave up singles and concentrated on doubles as I have won nearly all the titles in the world partnering Boon Bee. I have never lost a game after that with Boon Bee. I retired from active badminton as a player after the All England. I entered the singles finals of All England against my good friend Rudy Hartono and nearly beat him – 8-15,15-11,15-12. I modelled my game to that of Dane Finn Koberro (he won international titles from the mid-50s to 60s) who used his wrist to his advantage. These days, how do you keep fit? Biskebu Tee, Bandar Utama, KL I went for a heart by-pass operation three years ago. I then retired from all forms of sports activities. I am careful about what I eat and do regular exercises. Are athletes today driven by the glitz and glamour of the sport rather than for love of the game? Back then, players got a simple pat on the back for their efforts. Today, they’re showered with all sorts of rewards – cash, land, house, etc. Eugenie Devan, Bangsar You are absolutely right. But it is not their fault as we live in a world these days with endorsements and so forth. “For the love of the game” is slowly disappearing from most sports events. Badminton is a physical game, but it also involves lots of intelligence and strategy. Do you think our players today lack these? And what are the key attributes to being a successful sportsperson? Ahmad Majid, Malacca Badminton is definitely a physical game which also requires considerable intelligence and strategy. Intelligence and strategy have to be discussed every night by the management with the players before a match. This is extremely important. As for the second question, sincerity is key to a stable career. You need to be vigilant against any chances. If you change something of the current badminton training regime in our country, what would it be? Kamal Hassan, Kedah I can say a lot of things about the training. But remember, I am considered old by the authorities. What I would do is change the coaches around to give the players a fresh start. It is important to rotate the coaches as after some time, familiarity breeds contempt. Coming soon Comedian HARITH ISKANDER has never failed to keep his fans in stitches of laughter at countless live performances in Malaysia as well as many parts of Asia for over a decade. He is also an accomplished director, actor and writer. The entertainer has embarked on two new adventures – he got married and more recently, has opened up a restaurant in the suburbs. Any questions for him? Email 10questions@thestar.com.my |
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