hariansurabaya.com | SIDOARJO – The racket that once brought him to the ranks of the national elite in the U-19 category may not be swung often with personal ego, but in the hands of Mustaqim Nur Cahyo, it has now become an instrument to bring glory to others.
Born in Klaten on October 7, 1997, this player is no stranger to the Indonesian badminton scene. He has a track record of reaching the national ranking of 11th in the cadet singles (U-19) category in 2015.
Mustaqim actually had a bright future as an athlete. However, his calling led him to the coaching bench, a transition he began seriously at the club that nurtured him, Galaxy Putra Agung Sidoarjo.
Mustaqim’s choice of coaching at such a young age stems from a keen long-term vision. He possesses a strong passion for developing athletes through effective training techniques, mental guidance, and thorough match strategy preparation.
For him, the satisfaction of winning a match personally is not as great as the satisfaction of seeing his students able to execute strategies on the green field.
His career as a coach began when he was still active at Galaxy Sidoarjo, where he trained from 2013 until now. It was at this club that the seeds of his leadership and ability to develop junior athletes began to be seen.
However, his early coaching career wasn’t without its challenges. As a young coach, barely a teenager when he started, Mustaqim faced significant challenges in establishing his authority.
He must be able to change his mindset from a player who is served to a mentor who serves.
The initial problem he faced was how to gain the trust of athletes who might not be much older than him, and convince them that the technical details he provided were the key to victory.
The pressure to deliver instant results in regional tournaments often becomes a mental test for him as a novice coach.
Recalling his early transition to Sidoarjo, Mustaqim found it difficult to let go of the desire to play alone. This was especially true when he saw his peers still competing while he was still holding a strategy board.
“I had to suppress my ego and focus on the athletes’ needs. The main challenge at the time was communication; how to convince the players that the strategies I had developed would actually work on the field,” he added.
Today, his dedication has paid off with numerous professional recognitions. Mustaqim not only relies on his natural talent but also complements his qualifications with international certifications.
He is a BWF Level 1 certified coach which he achieved in Dubai, United Arab Emirates in July 2018.
It doesn’t stop there, he also has certificationOnline Component of BWF Coach Education Level 1(2018).
The foundation he built in Sidoarjo has become a solid foundation for his coaching career which has now transcended national borders. (ist)
