Been there, done that: South Korean Park Joo-bong, who was a coach with the BAM from 2000-2003, is one of the names being bandied about for the position of head coach for the singles squad.
PETALING JAYA: The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) are looking for coaches that have produced world champions to lead the newly revamped men’s and women’s singles squads.
And South Korean Park Joo-bong is one of the names that has been linked to the position of head coach for the singles squad.
Joo-bong guided Japan’s former No. 1 men’s singles star Kento Momota to two world titles among many others.
The 59-year-old Joo-bong is set to leave the Japanese Badminton Association this year after 20 years as head coach. He was also a coach with the BAM from 2000 until 2003.
The BAM are also looking out for a new head coach for the women’s doubles team after Hoon Thien How was moved to the junior men’s doubles team.
National coaching director Rexy Mainaky did not want to name the candidates that the BAM have in mind but said that they were seeking a coach who has produced world champions.
“We are looking for experienced coaches that have produced world champions and other title winners,” said Rexy.
“We are looking at a few candidates now. We can’t reveal their names yet but will make an announcement soon after a decision has been made.
“For the women’s doubles, we want a coach that can spot which players are best suited to play together.”
The national body are continuing to make sweeping changes in the coaching and players’ structures in a bid to improve the quality in the team.
A day after making several changes in the coaching team including not renewing the contract of long serving men’s singles coach Hendrawan, the BAM dropped 13 players from the senior team while 34 have been retained.
The players dropped are Chua Kim Sheng, Ong Zhen Yi, Jacky Kok and Lee Jan Jireh (men’s singles), Siti Nurshuhaini Azman, Ung Yi Xing (women’s singles), Beh Chun Meng, Choi Jian Sheng (men’s doubles), Anna Cheong, Low Yeen Yuan (women’s doubles), Jeremy Juan, V. Poopathi and Lai Ting Chen (mixed doubles).
Only Ng Tze Yong, Leong Jun Hao, Justin Hoh and Eogene Ewe have been retained in the men’s singles squad while K. Letshanaa, Wong Ling Ching, Oo Shan Zi and Siti Zulaikha Azmi have been retained in the women’s singles squad.
Meanwhile, women’s doubles players Teoh Mei Xing, Go Pei Kee, Lee Xin Jie, Tan Zhing Yi, Cheng Su Hui, Amanda Yap, Chan Wen Tse, Chong Jie Yu, Vanessa Ng and Vannee Gobi will only know their fates after they are evaluated by the new head coach while national No. 1 Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah have been retained.
