Once again all will be on the shoulders of Ahmad Taufiq Murni(pic).
The 25-year-old is the only Bruneian cueist set to participate at the 27th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Myanmar in December.
He will be competing in both the 9-ball and 10-ball events at the biennial multisport competition.
This is the second time that Taufiq is representing the Sultanate at the SEA Games having made his debut at the 2011 edition in Indonesia where he failed to advance out of the first round in both the 8-ball and 9-ball singles events.
National cue sports coach Lim Tat Hwe revealed to The Brunei Times yesterday that a Filipino professional player is expected to land in the sultanate in the middle of next month for sparring purposes against Taufiq.
"We are inviting an experienced Filipino professional player to come to Brunei next month for sparring purposes," said Lim during a training session yesterday at the Billiards and Snooker Hall of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas.
"Taufiq requires a good sparring partner so that he will be able to learn more things against a more experienced opponent," he added. Taufiq is looking forward to the added help in order t get to his best form for the SEA Games.
"It is very important to have a sparring partner right now. It is just different playing against people at the local pool house," said Taufiq. "I hope to have some good games and keep the momentum going. I want to make sure I get to peak performance just before the SEA Games," he added.
"I'm currently working on all aspects of the game in training and breaking well is crucial for me," continued Taufiq, who finished fifth out of 48 players at the 4th Asian Indoor & Martial Arts Games in South Korea in July.
Lim also highlighted what is the most important aspect of the game that Taufiq needs to work on for the next two months.
"He needs to be more patient and to keep calm at all times in game regardless whether it is competition or training," said Lim.
"With only two more months left to the SEA Games and what is needed is to build a strong mentality," he added.
"Emotions can become a distraction when you're not playing the way you want to. He will need to keep his focus at all times," continued the national cue sports coach.
Asked on his expectations at the tournament proper, Lim replied: "The most important thing is for him (Taufiq) to always play to his best effort. Should he be able to play to his standards then he has good chance on winning matches.
"However, it is also dependent on getting a good draw in the tournament," he concluded.
The most important thing is for (Taufiq) to always play to his best effort. Should he play to his standards then he has good chance on winning matches.
