User talk:Mississippi 101

Samuel Nesan

A former Malaysian junior badminton player who participated in tournaments on the national level in both the Boys’ Singles and Doubles categories. Born on the 27th of February – 1989 in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Samuel represented Selangor for 3 years (2001-2003).

Samuel began taking up the sport on the evening of his ninth birthday (1998) when he was presented with his first badminton racket. Initially it was his father – Rev. Nesan Benjamin, also a pastor, who coached him and taught him the game. Having noted his son’s interest in the sport, Nesan began to teach his son from the little he knew about badminton himself. Samuel’s rapid development in the game meant that there was a need to find a professional coach who could take his game to the next level. Hence about a year later (1999), Samuel began attending coaching sessions from professional coaches. His training frequency gradually increased from just once a week to almost daily. Needless to say, he achieved a remarkable improvement. In 2000, Samuel received the call-up to represent his school (SJK (C) Selayang Baru) in both the singles and doubles categories in the Gombak District Inter-School Competition (MSSD). Later that year, he was one of the few junior shuttlers that were selected to undergo a qualification to be included in the state squad.

In early 2001, Samuel Nesan was authorized as the 8th ranked player in the under-12 main squad of the Selangor Badminton Association, having undergone months of trials in which he defeated about 20 players which included current Malaysian international shuttler – Muhammad Syawal Ismail. Later that year, Samuel represented Selangor in the National Junior Circuit in both the Singles and Doubles categories. Although being knocked out in the second round of the singles event, Samuel could still afford to hold his head up having convincingly dispatched one of Han Jian’s elite shuttlers in the earlier round and also for pushing one of Kelantan’s top shuttlers to the full distance before bowing out. In doubles event, Samuel and his partner Syawal Ismail went down fighting to teammates and defending champions Yap Jun Hao and Jason Teh.

Samuel continued training in the Selangor Badminton Association for two more years together with the likes of national junior sensation – Zulfadli Zulkifli and current world # 1 doubles player – Tan Boon Heong. Samuel eventually quit as a state trainee in 2003 due to transportation problems as his father was constantly involved in overseas missions. Since quitting the state team, Samuel has not ceased to actively participate in tournaments. He ended up winning his first title in June 2004 when he emerged as doubles champion of the Golden Eagle Badminton Championships. Following that breakthrough, Samuel continued to win several more tournaments.

Presently, he has given up Badminton training in order to pursue his childhood desire – to serve in the Christian ministry. He is presently a youth pastor at a local Assemblies of God (AOG) in Selangor while still occasionally participating and winning tournaments.