BY: LEE SENG CHEE

Malaysian teens and youth are heavily involved in the sport of badminton which they feel can give them a lucrative career and this has led to some school students neglecting their studies or even dropping out of school.

Taking up the sport professionally is a mean task and students should wait to finish their schooling before venturing into badminton. This is owing to the many success stories of Malaysian badminton players which are alluring to them.

It is best to concentrate on studies and focus on getting training and qualifications in a certain field, as sportsmen do not last long in this field especially when age catches up with them and they can’t play the game anymore.

Badminton is a highly charged sport and by the time a player reaches his thirties, he or she is done for and needs to look for employment or business as many players take this pathway to obtain success in the sport.

But the focus now by young players is the lure of turning professional and many do not pause to think of their future. These budding badminton players must learn to think ahead and don’t just think of earning big bucks like some Malaysian players.

There must be the all-in factor when choosing to turn professional as it really is not a bed of roses and requires hard work, commitment, dedication and discipline all of which is a high price to pay when you are young.

-THE MALAYSIA VOICE

** The views expressed on this opinion is of the writer and not the publisher