MSFD sets lofty target

13/12/2002

MALAYSIA Sports Federation of the Deaf (MSFD) is confident of winning five-gold medals in the First Asia Pacific Deaf Badminton Championship on Dec 17-21 at the KLBA Hall in Kuala Lumpur.
Its confidence stems from the fact that its shuttlers have steadily
progressed over the last few years.
"We have a set a target of five gold medals for the championship because
our shuttlers have done well in recent top-notch tournaments. And as
hosts, we have the advantage," said MSFD vice-president Aqlam Jafri
yesterday.
Malaysia won three gold medals and one silver at the Sixth Asia Pacific
Games for the Deaf in Taiwan in 2000 with its trumpcard being Thomas Teh Cheang Hock.
And in 2001, in the World Games for the Deaf in Rome, Italy, Thomas did the country proud again when he won two silver medals in the singles and doubles.
His secret? "I started playing badminton at the age of three as my
father loved the game too," said Thomas through an interpreter.
His father is none other than Teh Kew San, who captained the 1967
Malaysian team which wrenched the Thomas Cup from the Indonesians in Jakarta. The other members of that triumphant team were Tan Aik Huang, Yew Cheng Ho, Ng Boon Bee and Billy Ng.
National trainees - Men: Adrol Hisyam, S. Muniandy, Thomas Teh Cheang Hock, Wu Wai Loon, Lim Khye Soon, Chuah Soo Beng, Koh Fook Seong, Aziran Abdul Rahman.
Women: Lisa Tee Chia Mei, Subashini Nair, Foo Chiew Phing, Artika Suraya Ayub, Normala Fahsya Najjamuddin, Aryanti Awang.
Coach: Mohamed Iqbal.
(END)