Former Malaysian Shuttler Out To Chart Cambodia's Badminton Fortunes

By Vikneswaran Raman KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 26 (Bernama) -- Unknown to many, even badminton pundits in the country, a Malaysian has been charting Cambodia's badminton fortunes and future for the past two years. N. Kogilavaanan, 23, a former Selangor state shuttler, who has been Cambodia's head coach for the past two years, is determined to help Cambodian shuttlers break into the top ranks of world badminton. Given the task by the Badminton Asia Confederation (BAC), Kogilavaanan's next immediate target would be to guide Cambodia's national shuttlers to win a medal or at least reach the semifinals at the 2015 SEA Games in Singapore (June). "Compared to Malaysia, Cambodia is a long way behind Malaysia in badminton, both in terms of success and infrastructure. I was send there by BAC as part of efforts to develop the sport in the country. "I managed to bring the shuttlers to the quarter-finals for first time at the 2013 SEA Games in Myanmar. My target for this year is to at least make it to the semi-finals," said Kogilavaanan who is back in Malaysia on holiday, when contacted by Bernama, here Thursday. Kogilavaanan started his coaching career with the Deva Badminton Academy in Petaling Jaya at the age of 18, before joining the New Vision Badminton Academy in Petaling Jaya. He then received a golden opportunity to be a part of BAC's development programme in 2013 and take the country's badminton to a higher level. Besides adapting to the new culture, food and language were two other main challenges faced by the Malaysian living in the underprivileged country. "To make my work easier and for a long term survival, I am learning the local language (Khmer). About the food, I have to manage with the local food provided," he said. Commenting on the sport, he said the country was developing it's infrastructure for the betterment of the sports. "The country still provides sufficient infrastructure and tools for training," he said. His long term goal is however, to start his own badminton academy in Malaysia to the further develop and cultivate more players at the grassroots level. -- BERNAMA