KUALA LUMPUR: Former national doubles star, Datuk Seri Jalani Sidek has reiterated that no coach in the world can miraculously turn Malaysian badminton around.
Instead, the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games bronze medallist believes it all lies in the hands of the players, and their determination to win.
"From what I see, our Malaysian players are complacent. They are already satisfied with what they have.
“Hire the best coach in the world, and I can tell you that nothing will change. If a player does not push hard to go further, then everyone can continue dreaming of success.
"For a player to succeed, they must work hard. The fire to achieve greater success must burn in them. If they can't even work hard during training, then what's the point?" asked Jalani.
His comments came after BAM president Datuk Seri Norza Zakaria, in an interview with NSTP Sport, criticised the national players for their below par performance at the recent All England.
Not a single Malaysian shuttler made it to the final this year.
According to Jalani, Norza is disappointed because as president, he has done everything he can to raise the standard of the game in Malaysia but yet nothing has changed.
"I think everyone can see the level of commitment shown by Norza. The restructuring, the sponsors were all brought in for the players, but what has come out of it?
"Norza has done his part, it's up to the players to do theirs, and to put Malaysia back on the world map," added Jalani.
Taking the recent success story of Japanese mixed doubles Yuta Watanabe-Arisa Higashino, who are under the care of former Malaysian coach Jeremy Gan, Jalani explained that they succeeded because of hard work and trust.
"Jeremy has only been in charge of them for the past three months, but they are already All England champions. In fact, they are only 22 and 21 years old.
“I believe it is because of the players' hard work and determination. They have also put their entire trust on Jeremy. The relationship between players and coach is very important.”
Watanabe-Agishino bagged Japan's first ever mixed doubles crown at the All England, when they upset fifth seeds Zheng Siwei-Huang Yaqiong of China 15-21, 22-20, 21-16.