PETALING JAYA: After more than 20 years abroad, Salim Samion has finally returned home and is now ready to help strengthen Malaysia’s junior badminton set-up.
Salim is the latest coach brought in by the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) to help develop more young players before they move up to the senior squad.
The 44-year-old officially began his first day as a coach with BAM on Friday (May 8), although he is still waiting for a clearer role from national singles coaching director Kenneth Jonassen, who is currently overseas.
Before returning to Malaysia, Salim spent five years with the Pathum Thani Badminton Association Club (BAP), where he handled the singles and junior squads.
Among the players under his guidance were world No. 15 women’s singles player Supanida Katethong and world No. 67 Pornpicha Choeikeewong.
Before that, he also coached in several European countries including Finland, Ukraine and Denmark. After spending so many years overseas, Salim felt it was time to return home and share his experience with local players.
“I got this opportunity through Kenneth (Jonassen), who wants more focus on players at the development level.
“I have always been interested in that and I also want to share the experience I gained overseas, especially in Thailand, which has a strong development programme. Maybe that is what I can contribute here.
“My contract with Pathum Thani Badminton Association Club (BAP) was actually until 2028, but my father is getting old so I was just waiting for the right time.
‘’Actually, I had been hoping to return to Malaysia for about a year, but Thailand still needed me. Coincidentally, this offer came at the right time and I felt it was time for me to return home,” said Salim.
Salim admitted he was surprised by the facilities and training programme currently available within the national set-up at the Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM) in Bukit Kiara compared to his playing days at Stadium Juara 20 years ago.
He believes Malaysia now have some of the best facilities and training programmes in the world, making things easier for coaches to do their job properly.
However, as a former student of legendary coach Datuk Misbun Sidek, Salim said he has never forgotten the values taught by his mentor, especially the importance of treating every player fairly and giving them proper guidance.
“It depends on how we motivate ourselves. No matter where we go, if we are sincere and able to achieve results, that is what makes us happy, whether at senior, junior or elite level.
“If we see a player improve even by 10 or 20 per cent, that alone already makes me happy, and this is one of the principles I learned from Datuk Misbun,” he added.
