BAT should do something before Boonsak retires

Thai challenge in the Indonesia Open Superseries Premier Badminton Championships fizzled out on Friday when Boonsak, 31, succumbed to a humiliating defeat at the hands of highly-accomplished Lee Chong We, the world No 1 who captured three major titles this year, including the Indian Open.

The win has raised the Malaysian ace’s aura of invincibility. Lee won 18 of 19 matches against Boonsak, the only Thai who reached the quarter-finals in this star-studded tournament. Since Boonsak landed the Singapore Open crown last year, no other Thai male has won any major title. That is a cause for worry.

The early elimination of Thai badminton players in big competitions, including the US$700,000 event in Jakarta, has sent an ominous signal to the Badminton Association of Thailand that it needs to get its act together to nurture youngsters, who have the potential to fill in the boots of those who are edging towards retirement.

There is nothing to be worried about in the women’s singles as teen prodigies Ratchanok Intanon and Busanan Ongbumrungpan have already proved their talent and well serve the country for years.

The 18-year-old Ratchanok, world No 5, has improved by leaps and bounds. She took silver medals in this year’s All-England and Swiss Open Championships and continued her remarkable run to win her debut Super Series in the Indian Open. Ratchanok also reigned supreme in the Thailand Open to become the first Thai ever to emerge as the women’s singles champion in 28 years.

Busanan, who is just 17, is a gifted player. Jumping from No 108 in the world ranking last June to No 17 presently, Busanan, silver medallist at the Thailand Open, will add depth to the national side in the singles at senior level.

Besides the duo, Thailand’s young talented players such as Porntip Buranaprasertsuk, Nichaon Jindapon and Sapsiree Taerattanachai, ranked No 13, 16 and 20 respectively in the world, have the qualities to make it big at the world level. What the BAT must do is to give them more international exposure by sending them to various tournaments. Without doubt, they will become quality internationals.

But the most important factor that should give the BAT the heebies jeebies is the lack of a men’s singles player to succeed Boonsak. Judging by individual performances, Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk and Sitthikom Thammasin are the only two players who can come in place of Boonsak once he retires.

Left-hander Tanongsak, ranked 21 in the world, has not won a major title in his career and his record so far is a far cry from Boonsak’s achievements at his age. World No 115 Sitthikom, who stunned three seeded players in the recent Thailand Open, is still young and inexperienced. To fulfill their potential, the BAT should give lend them a helping hand in whatever way it is possible. Simultaneously, the BAT should initiate regional development centres to tap more talented youngsters. Football and volleyball bodies are doing a fantastic job in that respect.

Famous private badminton clubs such as Banthongyord (where Ratchanok hails from) and Senanikhom (Boonsak’s club) should work hard hand-in-hand to help produce promising players. Their success will bring about public and private financial support.