It has been two decades since shuttlers from the Sidek family conquered the world stage in badminton. Now, a 11-year-old from the family is set to break the lull.

According to one-time doubles world champion Razif Sidek, his last born Muhamad Fazriq is “badminton mad”.

“I don’t know how it happened,” Razif told Malaysiakini last week.

Muhamad Fazriq caught attention when he came up tops in the doubles competition at the Selangor Majlis Sukan Sekolah Malaysia (MSSM) championship recently.

Still in primary school, the boy showed dedication in the sport, surpassing that of his elder siblings, the beaming father said.

“Alhamdulillah, we now have the third generation of the Sidek family in the badminton arena,” Razif ( photo ) said.

Muhammad Fazriq joins his cousins Misbun Ramdan and Misbun Syawal – sons of Misbun Sidek – who also play the sports competitively.

Malaysia’s badminton history has been shaped by the multiple victories of the Sidek brothers in world tournaments.

Razif and his brother Jalani became All England champions in 1982, and a decade later, three Sidek brothers became national heroes when they were part of a team that secured Malaysia’s fifth Thomas Cup victory. Malaysia last won the cup in 1967.

Misbun, Jalani, Razif, Rahman and Rashid made an indelible mark by raising Malaysian badminton standards to the top.

And now, it is their hope that Muhamad Fazriq would follow their lead to become a professional shuttler.

“When he first started playing he told me, 'I don’t want to go to school. I just want to play badminton'.

“I was surprised and yet so proud of how disciplined and determined my son has been to achieve what he did this year,” the 53-year-old sports legend said.

Personally coached his son

Seeing the promise in his child, Razif said he personally coached his son and regularly monitors the boy’s progress.

Having dad hovering on the sidelines may be overbearing for most boys on the cusp of puberty, but Muhamad Fazriq wants nothing more than to be like his father.

The SK Bukit Damansara student grew up hearing the legendary tales of how his father and uncles put Malaysia on the world badminton map and he wants nothing less.

“My dream is to follow my father’s footsteps, to be successful in badminton and to make Malaysia proud,” Muhamad Fazriq said.

His interest in badminton may have come out of the blue to his father, but Muhamad Fazriq credits it all to Razif.

He remembers following Razif to matches and itching to be on the court himself.

“My father has always supported me, taught me and encouraged me to take badminton seriously,” he said.

Playing at school level is clearly not enough for the young athlete.

Muhamad Raziq wants to join in more competitions in the future, with hopes of breaking into the world stage, like his father.

“Badminton is fun,” he said.