JAPAN’S rise in badminton did not happen overnight.
Their patience in coming up with an effective school-based training system is the reason why Japan are now dominating the sport.
Former doubles shuttler Lee Wan Wah, who is currently coaching Japan’s boys’ team in Tokyo, said unlike in Malaysia, schools in the Land of the Rising Sun play a big role in grassroots development.
The school-based training system is also implemented across all sports in Japan.
“While juniors in Malaysia train under the state programme, up-and-coming shuttlers in Japan train full-time at their respective schools under qualified coaches.
“Those selected are required to attend centralised training three times a year (between seven and nine days each) just before national-level tournaments. My job is to track their progress and also travel for tournaments,” he said yesterday.
Wan Wah said the systematic system keeps up-and-coming juniors in Japan motivated as trials are conducted every year.
“Winners of the Under-13, Under-15 and Under-17 categories are roped in while the others (between 36 and 40 players in each age group) will attend a trial in January every year.
“The system keeps the students motivated as everyone is given opportunities to enter the national junior team.
“It’s a fresh selection, and this motivates them to train hard throughout the year and perform in local tournaments.
“They have several individual tournaments and a national-level team competition every year.
“The system is quite effective and comprehensive. Although decentralised, there is a very big pool and they are constantly monitored and this is where the schools play a major part.
Despite being in Japan for only eight months, Wan Wah has already impressed head coach Park Joo Bong.
The Olympian has been shortlisted to handle their national back-up squad next year.
Wan Wah’s contract expires in March next year but hopes to prolong his coaching career in Japan.
The Ipoh-born is the third Malaysian coach working in Japan. The others are Jeremy Gan (mixed doubles) and Tan Kim Her (men’s doubles).
The former shuttler has been involved in coaching since establishing his academy in Malaysia in 2008 together with former teammates Chew Choon Eng, Chan Chong Ming and Wong Choong Hann.
His work at the academy caught the attention of Joo Bong, who then offered him a contract to coach in Japan.
For the record, Joo Bong, who once served BAM as national coach, guided Wan Wah and Choong Tan Fook to the men’s doubles semi-finals of the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
“I always wanted to explore coaching outside Malaysia and when the offer came, I quickly accepted it.
“Although the language is a barrier at the moment, I am learning fast.
Wan Wah added he has only met Joo Bong a couple of times this year as the senior and junior training camps operate separately.