PETALING JAYA: The national badminton team’s coaching structure could be set for another shake-up, this time involving the assistant coaches.
Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) performance committee chairman Datuk Seri Lee Chong Wei said discussions were still ongoing, with a more comprehensive review expected after the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games in October.
He said the restructuring was being considered following the departure of former mixed doubles head coach Nova Widianto, who left BAM on July 31 to return to Indonesia.
While BAM continue their search for Nova’s replacement, Chong Wei said the existing coaching set-up could also be reshuffled to ensure a better distribution of coaches across the men’s, women’s and mixed doubles departments.
“We have quite a number of assistant coaches, so we will look at restructuring the set-up,” said Chong Wei.
“Initially, we brought in Teo Kok Siang to assist Nova, but now that Nova has returned to Indonesia, Rexy (Mainaky) will help out temporarily.
“We are looking for someone to replace Nova. We have a performance committee meeting this Friday, where we will bring up the matter and discuss how best to move forward.”
The men’s doubles department, headed by Herry Iman Pierngadi, is supported by assistant coaches Chang Kim Wai and Muhammad Miftakh.
Women’s doubles head coach Rosman Razak is assisted by Zakry Abd Latiff and Ching Kai Feng, while Lutfi Zaim is currently overseeing the mixed doubles department following Nova’s departure.
BAM have also brought in Kok Siang, who previously coached independent pairs Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani and Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie, and he is expected to report for duty on Sept 1.
