Count your blessings, go all out and give your best, Meng Yean tells Pearly-Thinaah

KUALA LUMPUR – While the Olympics is every athlete’s dream, it is neither a holiday nor a vacation.

Reminiscing on how challenging it was to prepare for the Tokyo Olympics amid the Covid-19 global pandemic, former international shuttler Lee Meng Yean hopes those who have qualified for the Paris Olympics this year, especially national women’s doubles duo Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah, have counted their blessings and will not get carried away by the fanfare.

Speaking to Scoop, Meng Yean, who previously partnered with Chow Mei Kuan, said it was extremely challenging for them to prepare for Tokyo three years ago, as it was during the height of the pandemic.

Apart from having to adhere to strict standard operating procedures (SOP) at the Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM) in Bukit Kiara, it was a huge struggle for athletes to stay away from family and loved ones during a time when they needed their support the most.

“I never really spoke about this back then, but it was a huge struggle for all of us. We couldn’t go anywhere, and we couldn’t meet anyone outside the training camp.

“On one hand, it helped us with our focus because all we did was train hard every day, but it was hard not being able to physically interact with our loved ones.

“Sure, we managed to have meetings online, but it was not the same. The players today should be grateful because they get to do so many things, go on trips with their families and even bring them along for competitions for support. Value these moments,” said Meng Yean, who retired from playing shortly after the Tokyo Olympics to become a coach.

Looking at the Olympics women’s doubles draw this year, Meng Yean agreed that Group A is the so-called “group of death” but believes Pearly-Thinaah have got the pedigree to reach the knockout stage.

Ranked 13th in the world, Pearly-Thinaah are in the same group as world number 1 duo Chen Qing Chen-Jia Yi Fan of China, Japan’s Mayu Matsumoto-Wakana Nagahara, and Indonesia’s top duo of Apriyani Rahayu-Siti Fadia Silva Ramadhanti.

“What do they (Pearly-Thinaah) have to lose? My advice to them is don’t look at the draw.

“It is important to manage the expectations when playing at the Olympics. Yes, it’s every athlete’s dream, it’s once every four years, but if you don’t manage these expectations well, you will fail.

“The Olympics is not a holiday nor a vacation, only the toughest will survive.

“I know it’s exciting, but you must manage your emotions too,” added Meng Yean, who together with Mei Kuan, did not clear the group stage in Tokyo.

After a year serving the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM), Meng Yean left the national setup last year to join former international, Chan Peng Soon, at his private academy.

However, unlike other Olympians and former internationals, Meng Yean has chosen to coach younger children.

“Most former internationals and Olympians will focus on the elite players. I see a lot of talent in the young, but sometimes I feel they lack quality trainers and coaches.

“I hope my passion will allow me to produce future world champions,” said Meng Yean. – July 19, 2024