Datuk Seri Lee Chong Wei
PETALING JAYA: The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) are proposing the creation of a new position to ensure that the training model and philosophy used in the national squad is also adopted across all states and it is set to be filled up by a former national player.
BAM performance committee chairman Datuk Seri Lee Chong Wei said the initiative came from discussions between himself and president Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, who want to place greater emphasis on grassroots development.
According to Chong Wei, it is crucial that the training model used at the national elite level is also implemented at the state level, so that young players already have a strong foundation before being promoted to the national squad.
A candidate to lead the project has already been identified, and the individual is a former national player.
"We will have a new department for development. We will bring in an individual to oversee this department across all 14 states. This is a new position requested by Tengku Zafrul. We already have a candidate and it has been confirmed.
"He will share the training model. I have also discussed with the council the possibility of sending our national coaches for two or three months to observe development and training at the state level. This is so that we can work together and share expertise with the states," said Chong Wei.
However, the former world No. 1 said a title for the new role has yet to be decided.
What is clear, he added, is that the individual’s role will be to serve as a link between the states and the national squad training at the Badminton Academy of Malaysia in Bukit Kiara.
"The title has not been finalised yet, but the role is to ensure that the training model here at the national level is the same as at the state level, and to communicate with all state development coaches," he added.
