Wise words: Datuk Seri Lee Chong Wei speaking to the press during the Malaysian Open at Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil. — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star
BUKIT JALIL: Budget constraints have delayed the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) from making official announcements on the much-speculated appointments of new coaches.
BAM performance committee chairman Datuk Seri Lee Chong Wei acknowledged that the matter is still being finalised before confirmations on the previously discussed candidates can be made.
So far, Chong Wei has proposed bringing in five to six new coaches, with one confirmed appointment being Datuk Tey Seu Bock, who has been promoted from the junior squad to lead the senior team once again.
Chong Wei did not rule out other names such as Yeoh Kay Bin and Mohd Zakry Latif, who have also been linked to the coaching appointments, but no final decisions have been made at this stage.
Currently, BAM is seeking candidates to fill vacancies in the men’s singles junior squad, men’s doubles junior squad, and both senior and junior women’s doubles squads.
“We did mention his name (Yeoh Kay Bin), and I can confirm that. But as I said yesterday, we need budget approval first. Without the budget, it would be difficult to appoint coaches.
“It’s not just Kay Bin. I think we will also bring in several new coaches for the national and junior team. As I mentioned earlier, development is very important. To nurture young players, we need a quality coaching team as well as quality players.
“We have just received budget approval, and now we need to reach out to the coaching candidates for their feedback, to see their views and assess their suitability for BAM,” said Chong Wei.
