Chong Wei warns juniors to be prepared for hard work under Misbun

KUALA LUMPUR: There’s no short cut in training under new national men’s singles head coach Datuk Misbun Sidek.

This is world No. 3 Lee Chong Wei’s (pic) warning to the juniors, having trained under Misbun from 1999-2011.

“I’m so happy that my former coach and mentor is back with the national team,” enthused the 34-year-old Chong Wei yesterday.

“I trained under him as a junior. Believe me, it was tough. He’s strict and doesn’t tolerate indiscipline.

“He dislikes laid-back players. I was even sent out of the stadium when I wasn’t serious in training.

“But it’s his tough training and dedication as a coach that made me what I’m today.”

Three-time Olympic silver medallist Chong Wei played a key role in bringing Misbun back to the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) fold.

He met Misbun twice over the last one week to urge him to return to the national team.

Then, he fixed a meeting between Misbun and BAM president Datuk Seri Norza Zakaria.

And on Thursday, Norza, who is also the BAM’s coaching and training committee chairman, announced the appointment of Misbun as the head coach.

He will be assisted by Hendrawan, Indra Wijaya and Sairul Amar Ayob.

“Misbun left BAM six years ago because of some problems with the association. I tried to bring him back again in 2014 but he wasn’t ready then. I didn’t force him,” said Chong Wei.

“I tried again this time. I don’t see anyone more suitable than Misbun for this job. He has the respect of every one. It’s not an easy post to take up, especially when you look at the current state of our singles players.

“Misbun is like a father to me. We’ve gone through ups and downs.

“He understands me the best and I’ve a lot of respect for him.

“Malaysia needs him. He has a way of moulding youngsters. We cannot expect immediate results from him but I’m confident that there’ll be good results eventually.

“Misbun has a good team of coaches. Together I believe they can help to raise the standard of our singles players,” added Chong Wei, who is bidding to be Malaysia’s first badminton world champion at the World Cham­pionships in Glasgow, Scot­land, from Aug 21-27.