Dear Pipsqueaks,
Now that I finally get a day off with nothing on the programme - no minutes or places I have to be - I can update! I was really hoping just to sit and enjoy the matches, but NOOOO, some people cannot let me at peace even though my boss had already requested for me to stay off Social Media for this event. Fine, it's not like I've never done it before - so, challenge accepted. Except, I didn't know it would be SUCH a challenge.
Apparently, the stadium is sitting in an ex-military base that limits network in general. Hence, inconsistency with wifi and even phone coverage. Otherwise, I would have just used data roaming, but it's literally like some crazy force field. Once you enter the Field of Play, even if the wifi network shows up, it'll spend seconds being connected, then off, then on, then off, then on. My phone, which was constantly plugged into my portable charger, stayed below 30% simply because it kept trying to get me on a network. Ridiculous I tell you. Though, we did kind of knew it would happen. We are in India after all.
In general, it's a very dangerous place to work. My producer just told me last night that some kid actually got neck-wrapped by some cables near the control center. I myself also ALMOST tripped on live telecast trying to pass on an upgrade card to one of our VVIPs. It also doesn't help that it takes absolutely forever to have someone DO something, and when it does happen after a hour, there is one person doing with 5 people watching. Overall, just a frustrating environment to be running a tournament. With that, I give props to our Events team that have to come here every year to run the World Superseries. *clap clap clap*
Having said that, I have to mention how unappreciative people can be when the service is FREE. I got on Facebook this morning only to find out that Match 5 was not on our Youtube Channel. I'm not sure what happened (but I will find out), though most likely, it had something to do with the unstable Indian wifi. For that, there was nothing we can do anyway. Yet, we got bombarded. Well, you know what? We should just make people pay for it. Then, they at least have a reason to complain. Now, they have absolutely no grounds to. I mean seriously, when someone gives you free food, you complain it's not Michelin standard. What kind of nonsense is that? In any case, I'm quite glad I get to shoot off some people for their supposedly reasonable demands. Otherwise, our company just takes the blame for everything while the host dances and dusts off any sense of responsibility.
Really off topic - was supposed to summarize the Cup Finals! Both Finals were just heart-stopping. I don't think I've actually cheered that hard for a country that is neither Canada or Taiwan. But, I did. I cheered for Uber Japan and Thomas Malaysia. Well, I secretly cheered because I was in uniform and we're not really supposed to be favouring any particular team, but meh. Bite me. I cheer. Despite China having a very strong Uber team, the Japanese ladies had a really good chance. All they needed to do was secure both Doubles points - which they really did have advantage over the Chinese - then take just one of the three singles. But, no can do. They had lost the second Doubles, then it went downhill from there. Of course, just by their normal performance, Japanese Doubles are more consistent and armed with great defense. Some more, they played against a scratch pair. So, I didn't quite understand their loss. In any case, they fought a good battle and I'm sure the coaches are proud. From what I heard, the girls were crying in the washroom, hence why the ceremony was momentarily delayed. Next time around in Jakarta or Kunshan, I look forward to a new home for the Uber Cup.
What to say about the Thomas Cup Final? If only the Malaysians had taken the first Doubles, they would have been carrying the Cup home! It was such pity it slipped between their fingers, but definitely a nail-biting clash. I personally thought this 2004 World Junior Men's Doubles Champion pair did have what it took to win their match. They just haven't played enough together, and Doubles game truly requires that rapport between the two. No lies, TBH played one of the best matches I've seen him play these couple of years. My heart really stopped when they lost.
The second Singles, Momota dominated, and that didn't come as a surprise for me. I know he's going to be one of those players we'll all be talking about - if that isn't already happening. He has that calmness and maturity of players way beyond his age. His game is solid and positive. I may be slightly bias here, but he's probably the closest one on my list to be included in my Top Male players Gang - alongside LD, TH, PG & LWC. Trust me, he's going to be amazing! Wait for Tokyo 2020 :)
The second Malaysian Doubles battled hard for that point. I believe these two don't normally play together, and I did question why Goh's partner didn't suit up when I saw him in the team crowd. Not sure what happened there, but this pair did loads good for Malaysia. Good speed and cover, I even went as far as to guarantee the 5th point play when they were down on the second set. Luckily, they held it together and kept Malaysia alive for the last Singles.
Liew Daren. I don't think anyone will ever understand the amount of pressure he had to manage during that match. It was not just the Malaysian Sports Minister's attendance, or the Malaysian team on the courtside, or the Malaysian fans in the stands, but hundreds and thousands of fans watching and cheering for him back in Malaysia. The whole nation was cheering for him. Just typing that gives me the jitters. So, I guess you really can't blame him for his unusual performance. I've seen the guy play, and he's normally quite cool. But yesterday, you could tell his emotions were running high and getting the better of him. It helped when he was up in points, but worked against him when he was down. Body language told all. Nonetheless, he played his heart out, landing whole body flat at least twice. The yellow card was also uncalled for. I mean really, he was sweating like crazy and needed to wipe down at the last few points in the 3rd set of the 5th point in the FINAL OF THE THOMAS CUP, you LET the man wipe down. Seriously, such a moment killer, this umpire. Sigh.
All I can say is, despite them not bringing the Cup home, I'm sure the whole country is behind them on their Final appearance. It just goes to show the team has what it takes, and now just needs to touch up their games and aim for Jakarta/Kunshan. I'm sure the Cup is within arms reach.
On the other hand, Japan played a well deserved win. No doubt, and just when I thought Japan (the country) will not even notice the win, the newspaper shared that the Prime Minister called Monday 26-May a national holiday in celebration of the Thomas Cup win. I definitely didn't expect that because the country has a very limited Badminton family, and most people in the country are not even aware of the championships, let alone the win against another strong Badminton nation. Fortunately, they did and that's super good news for badminton in general. That will mean we can only expect more from Japan in the near future - especially as we move towards Tokyo 2020.
Now that we've drawn a close to this years' Thomas and Uber Cup Finals, on with our Committee and Council meetings! 6/11 days~ then, home!
Now that I finally get a day off with nothing on the programme - no minutes or places I have to be - I can update! I was really hoping just to sit and enjoy the matches, but NOOOO, some people cannot let me at peace even though my boss had already requested for me to stay off Social Media for this event. Fine, it's not like I've never done it before - so, challenge accepted. Except, I didn't know it would be SUCH a challenge.
Apparently, the stadium is sitting in an ex-military base that limits network in general. Hence, inconsistency with wifi and even phone coverage. Otherwise, I would have just used data roaming, but it's literally like some crazy force field. Once you enter the Field of Play, even if the wifi network shows up, it'll spend seconds being connected, then off, then on, then off, then on. My phone, which was constantly plugged into my portable charger, stayed below 30% simply because it kept trying to get me on a network. Ridiculous I tell you. Though, we did kind of knew it would happen. We are in India after all.
In general, it's a very dangerous place to work. My producer just told me last night that some kid actually got neck-wrapped by some cables near the control center. I myself also ALMOST tripped on live telecast trying to pass on an upgrade card to one of our VVIPs. It also doesn't help that it takes absolutely forever to have someone DO something, and when it does happen after a hour, there is one person doing with 5 people watching. Overall, just a frustrating environment to be running a tournament. With that, I give props to our Events team that have to come here every year to run the World Superseries. *clap clap clap*
Having said that, I have to mention how unappreciative people can be when the service is FREE. I got on Facebook this morning only to find out that Match 5 was not on our Youtube Channel. I'm not sure what happened (but I will find out), though most likely, it had something to do with the unstable Indian wifi. For that, there was nothing we can do anyway. Yet, we got bombarded. Well, you know what? We should just make people pay for it. Then, they at least have a reason to complain. Now, they have absolutely no grounds to. I mean seriously, when someone gives you free food, you complain it's not Michelin standard. What kind of nonsense is that? In any case, I'm quite glad I get to shoot off some people for their supposedly reasonable demands. Otherwise, our company just takes the blame for everything while the host dances and dusts off any sense of responsibility.
Really off topic - was supposed to summarize the Cup Finals! Both Finals were just heart-stopping. I don't think I've actually cheered that hard for a country that is neither Canada or Taiwan. But, I did. I cheered for Uber Japan and Thomas Malaysia. Well, I secretly cheered because I was in uniform and we're not really supposed to be favouring any particular team, but meh. Bite me. I cheer. Despite China having a very strong Uber team, the Japanese ladies had a really good chance. All they needed to do was secure both Doubles points - which they really did have advantage over the Chinese - then take just one of the three singles. But, no can do. They had lost the second Doubles, then it went downhill from there. Of course, just by their normal performance, Japanese Doubles are more consistent and armed with great defense. Some more, they played against a scratch pair. So, I didn't quite understand their loss. In any case, they fought a good battle and I'm sure the coaches are proud. From what I heard, the girls were crying in the washroom, hence why the ceremony was momentarily delayed. Next time around in Jakarta or Kunshan, I look forward to a new home for the Uber Cup.
What to say about the Thomas Cup Final? If only the Malaysians had taken the first Doubles, they would have been carrying the Cup home! It was such pity it slipped between their fingers, but definitely a nail-biting clash. I personally thought this 2004 World Junior Men's Doubles Champion pair did have what it took to win their match. They just haven't played enough together, and Doubles game truly requires that rapport between the two. No lies, TBH played one of the best matches I've seen him play these couple of years. My heart really stopped when they lost.
The second Singles, Momota dominated, and that didn't come as a surprise for me. I know he's going to be one of those players we'll all be talking about - if that isn't already happening. He has that calmness and maturity of players way beyond his age. His game is solid and positive. I may be slightly bias here, but he's probably the closest one on my list to be included in my Top Male players Gang - alongside LD, TH, PG & LWC. Trust me, he's going to be amazing! Wait for Tokyo 2020 :)
The second Malaysian Doubles battled hard for that point. I believe these two don't normally play together, and I did question why Goh's partner didn't suit up when I saw him in the team crowd. Not sure what happened there, but this pair did loads good for Malaysia. Good speed and cover, I even went as far as to guarantee the 5th point play when they were down on the second set. Luckily, they held it together and kept Malaysia alive for the last Singles.
Liew Daren. I don't think anyone will ever understand the amount of pressure he had to manage during that match. It was not just the Malaysian Sports Minister's attendance, or the Malaysian team on the courtside, or the Malaysian fans in the stands, but hundreds and thousands of fans watching and cheering for him back in Malaysia. The whole nation was cheering for him. Just typing that gives me the jitters. So, I guess you really can't blame him for his unusual performance. I've seen the guy play, and he's normally quite cool. But yesterday, you could tell his emotions were running high and getting the better of him. It helped when he was up in points, but worked against him when he was down. Body language told all. Nonetheless, he played his heart out, landing whole body flat at least twice. The yellow card was also uncalled for. I mean really, he was sweating like crazy and needed to wipe down at the last few points in the 3rd set of the 5th point in the FINAL OF THE THOMAS CUP, you LET the man wipe down. Seriously, such a moment killer, this umpire. Sigh.
All I can say is, despite them not bringing the Cup home, I'm sure the whole country is behind them on their Final appearance. It just goes to show the team has what it takes, and now just needs to touch up their games and aim for Jakarta/Kunshan. I'm sure the Cup is within arms reach.
(Congratulations to all medalists!)
On the other hand, Japan played a well deserved win. No doubt, and just when I thought Japan (the country) will not even notice the win, the newspaper shared that the Prime Minister called Monday 26-May a national holiday in celebration of the Thomas Cup win. I definitely didn't expect that because the country has a very limited Badminton family, and most people in the country are not even aware of the championships, let alone the win against another strong Badminton nation. Fortunately, they did and that's super good news for badminton in general. That will mean we can only expect more from Japan in the near future - especially as we move towards Tokyo 2020.
Now that we've drawn a close to this years' Thomas and Uber Cup Finals, on with our Committee and Council meetings! 6/11 days~ then, home!
(Love all. Play!)