Kebangkitan Adik-Beradik Sidek
Zaman 1970-80an menyaksikan ramai bakat baharu dalam kancah badminton Malaysia, termasuk adik-beradik Sidek. Misbun, Razif, Jalani, Rahman, Rashid diikuti dengan Zamaliah dibimbing dan diasuh oleh bapa mereka Dato’ Haji Mohd Sidek sejak kecil lagi.
Anak sulung, Misbun Sidek, giat berlatih sejak berusia 7 tahun. Beliau pertama kali mewakili Selangor pada 1972 dan bertahun-tahun memenangi pertandingan B-12, B-15 dan B-18.
Pada 1976, Misbun menjadi juara perseorangan B-18 Malaysia pada usia 16 tahun manaka adiknya Razif membawa pulang kejuaraan B-15. Setelah memenangi pertandingan perseorangan tersebut, Misbun berkongsi hasrat beliau untuk mewakili Malaysia, terutamanya di Piala Thomas.
Enam tahun kemudian, impian beliau tercapai setelah Malaysia layak ke Piala Thomas 1982 di mana Misbun, Razif dan Jalani dapat beraksi. Trio ini dianggap yang perlu diberi perhatian pada awal 1980an selari dengan kejayaan dan populariti mereka.
Masa itu hanya permulaan bagi anak-anak Sidek. Pada tahun 1985, kelima-lima mereka mencipta sejarah sebagai kumpulan adik-beradik terbesar untuk mewakili negara dalam acara sukan yang sama di kejohanan terbuka Hong Kong. Sepanjang kerjaya mereka, adik-beradik Sidek telah merangkul kejayaan di Piala Dunia Badminton, Kejohanan Dunia Badminton, Piala Thomas, Kejohanan Seluruh England, Sukan Olimpik dan banyak lagi.
Adik bongsu Sidek, Zamaliah, turut mempamerkan bakat pada usia remaja dengan mencatatkan kemenangan di pertandingan B-15 Negeri Sembilan dan menjadi naib juara B-15 Grand Prix Malaysia. Zamaliah mewakili negara di Piala Uber 1992 & 1994, serta memenangi pingat gangsa Sukan Komanwel 1994 dalam pertandingan berpasukan campuran yang termasuk abangnya, Rashid.
Kehebatan keluarga Sidek dalam sukan badminton tidak dapat dinafikan. Semoga kejayaan dan pengorbanan mereka menjadi inspirasi kepada generasi muda dan yang akan datang.
Foto kiri: Dato’ Haji Mohd Sidek bersama Misbun, Razif, Jalani, Rahman dan Rashid
Foto kanan: Misbun Sidek di Kejohanan Badminton B-18 Malaysia
Sumber foto asal: Dunia Sukan
Rise of the Sidek Siblings
The 1970-80s saw many talented prospects in Malaysia’s badminton scene, including the rise of the Sidek siblings. Misbun, Razif, Jalani, Rahman, and Rashid followed by Zamaliah were all trained by their father Dato’ Haji Mohd Sidek from an early age at their Banting hometown.
Misbun Sidek, the eldest, began training when he was seven years old. He first represented Selangor in 1972 and over the years garnered titles in U-12, U-15 and U-18 competitions.
In 1976, Misbun became the national U-18 singles champion at 16 while his younger brother Razif took home the U-15 title. After winning the singles competition, Misbun shared his dreams of playing for Malaysia and his goal of representing the country at the Thomas Cup. He made his international debut at the 1979 All-England championships.
Six years later, his dreams were fulfilled as Malaysia qualified for the 1982 Thomas Cup where Misbun, Razif and Jalani were in action. The trio was considered the ones to watch in the early 1980’s as they grew in success and popularity.
This was only the beginning for the Sidek brothers. In 1985, all five brothers made history as the largest group of siblings to ever represent the country in a sporting event at the Hong Kong Open. Throughout their careers, the Sidek brothers have attained major achievements at the World Cup, the World Championships, Thomas Cup, All-England Badminton, the Olympic Games and more.
The youngest Sidek sister, Zamaliah, also made waves in her teenage years. She first made her mark winning the U-15 Negeri Sembilan title and was runner-up at the U-15 Malaysian Grand Prix Final. She went on to represent the country at the 1992 & 1994 Uber Cup, and won the 1994 Commonwealth Games bronze medal in the mixed team competition alongside Rashid.
The Sideks’ greatness in the sport of badminton is undeniable. May their successes and sacrifices be an inspiration to the younger and future generations.
