Misbun's good enough: Sports Minister

KUALA LUMPUR: Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin has given the thumbs-up on a proposal for former national coach Misbun Sidek to become the Badminton Association of Malaysia’s (BAM) national coaching director.

On Sunday, world No. 1 Lee Chong Wei had suggested that Misbun, his former coach, be named for the job based on his experience.

On Monday, Khairy said it was time for the BAM to find someone as a coaching director to strengthen the coaching and training set-up.

“Misbun is a great coach and he has proven that by producing good players, including Chong Wei. It is a good proposal but I will leave it to the BAM to find the ideal candidate,” said Khairy.

Even if the BAM approach Misbun, there is no guarantee that the former international will accept the offer. In 2011, he had walked out of the national team because he was unhappy with some of the decisions made by the national body.

“I strongly believe that BAM need a national coaching director to look into the technical matters and chart the overall plans. This person must be suitable, experienced and knowledgeable,” said Khairy.

Khairy also said that he would be meeting BAM president Tan Sri Tengku Mahaleel Tengku Ariff after his trip to the United Kingdom this week.

At the Malaysian Open last month, Khairy had aired his unhappiness over the lack of successors for Chong Wei coming through and wanted to meet up with Tengku Mahaleel to query on their programme.

“I have not met up with Tengku Mahaleel yet. I will be away to UK this week and hope to make an arrangement to meet him after that,” added Khairy after launching the Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) Tour’s Yearbook at the Kinrara Golf and Country Club (KGCC) on Monday.

Khairy praised national No. 1 and PGM Order of Merit winner Nicholas Fung for his consistent performances on the local and international stage.

“Nicholas has done well. There is also Myanmar SEA Games silver medallist Gavin Kyle (Green) and I hope these golfers and others will continue to show progress and qualify for the Olympic Games (2016),” said Khairy.

“Nicholas’ meteoric rise in the game can be largely credited to the PGM Tour. I hope to see more players being developed by the PGM so that we can make our mark on the Asian, and in time to come, the world stage,” added Khairy, who also toured the PGM’s Peak Performance Golf Academy at KGCC.