This Could Be The Start Of Something Big!
by Bob Hanscom
April 7, 2013 - Azlan Iskandar, Bela Karolyi, Steve Allen...what could these three names possibly have in common, a squash professional, a world-renowned gymnastic coach and a song-writer/comedian!?
Azlan Iskandar, Malaysia #2, PSA #10, (Retired)
Squash Academy Talent Identification Program
Beginning with the latter, Steve Allen wrote a very popular song called "This Could Be The Start Of Something Big." Could Malaysia's Azlan Iskandar's Squash Academy Talent Identification Program "...be the start of something big? See: http://www.squashsite.co.uk/aisa/index.htm. Well, the concept isn't really new!
Re-wind back 45 years to a small town in Romania when Bela Karolyi and his wife Marta went to the kindergartens to search out, identify and select young girls for their elite gymnastic training program, which is now history!
Nadia Comaneci (51) and Bela Karolyi (70) in 2012
We all know the story of Nadia Comaneci, (the first gymnast to ever score a perfect "10" in international competition) and her teammate Teodora Ungureanu. And later, after Karolyi defected to the United States, Mary Lou Retton, Kim Zmeskal, Kristie Phillips and Kerri Strug, (all coached by Karolyi), winning World and Olympic Championship Medals.
Once again, could Iskandar's Talent Identification Program "...be the start of something big" for Malaysia's squash program? It seems to be taking the form of - and following the model of Karolyi's program, that of putting young boys and girls through various tests, measuring height and weight, explosive vertical jumps, sit-up and push-up strength, sit and reach flexibility, ghosting agility and shuttle-runs for endurance? As with Karolyi's program, we guess the process might also include looking at the parents to see what "type" body the child may eventually have.
Children being tested at Azlan Iskandar's Talent Identification Progam
As coaches of elite athletes know, it takes approximately eight years for a talented young athlete to develop and reach their potential. This "investment" of time, effort and money is certainly justification for wanting to know (through the selection process) if a child has what it takes to become "that" elite athlete, in this case a world-class squash-player.
Let's face it, the Egyptian's are currently leading the way with a similar squash development program. They've set up a centralized system where all the players congregate in one of two location, Cairo or Alexandria. Products of this program include world world #3 Raneem El Weleily and world #5 Nour El Sherbini, just to name two success stories.
Raneem El Weleily and Nour El Sherbini hoping to play in the 2020 Olympics
A great variety of player-styles and opponents between the (very) young, as well as the older boys and girls training together facilitates the early development of great anticipation, reaction time and a high level of tactical awareness not available when playing in isolated environments or just by taking private lessons.
The wave of the future for developing world-class squash-players lies in accessing and/or creating facilities and coaching staffs (as has Iskandar) working with groups of talented and motivated young players in a competitive environment that will bring them to their true potential, perhaps resulting in "...the start of something big," hopefully for the year 2020!
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