ssc_marcomms posted on December 01, 2009 09:00
National Taekwondo Coach Liang Ming (fourth from right) with the Team Singapore Taekwondo-kas
The success of a sports champion does not come by chance. Besides the commitment, perseverance and determination put in by the athlete, the coach plays an equally critical role in motivating and nurturing his or her charges.
As we count down to the 25th Sea Games in Laos this December, the TPT Reporter visited some of the training sessions to suss out the progress of the athletes’ preparations, and spoke to two national coaches, Ms Wong Liang Ming and Ms Jing Junhong, and their charges.
Liang Ming, herself a veteran sportswoman, will be leading the trio of Jason Tan, Jacqueline Quek and Lanetar Quek to the Games. Having won four SEA Games gold medals and 17 other international championships titles, this affable and petite national taekwondo coach is no push-over.
Besides committing 18 hours every week to train the team in the evenings, Liang Ming also sets aside personal time in the morning for her athletes. And this selfless act does not go unnoticed by her charges, who have nothing but praise and heartfelt gratitude for their coach, who is also their friend.
Lanetar, who has been under Liang Ming’s tutelage for the past six years, is deeply inspired by her coach and hopes to follow her footsteps to become an outstanding athlete, and, subsequently, a coach. Jacqueline feels that her performance has improved tremendously since she started training under Liang Ming two years ago. Jason also appreciates the personal guidance Liang Ming has provided him beyond just training.
A household name in table tennis, former national athlete and Olympian Jing Junhong has been the deputy coach for the national women’s team since March this year. Already nine months into her appointment, she continues to enjoy coaching the national team and is confident that they will bring in the medals as long as they do their best.
Nineteen-year-old Zena Sim, a first-time SEA Games athlete, finds in her coach, besides her family, a pillar of support. She expresses that Junhong has been great in helping her meet the rigorous demands of the daily training regime. And she has nothing but respect for her coach, who is also a good mentor.
Pride, Performance, Perseverance. The TPT Reporter sees these Team Singapore attributes in our athletes. And, come 9 December and all the way through to 18 December, TPT looks forward to witnessing our national flag fly high in Laos.