Ewe Chye comes to Ewe Hock's rescue

PETALING JAYA: Indonesian Indra Gunawan has called off plans to train the Naza Kia-sponsored Ong Ewe Hock team this month. But Ewe Hock's elder brother and former international player Ong Ewe Chye has come to the rescue. 

Ewe Chye is currently training his younger brother's group at the Kong Meng Badminton Hall in Balakong, Cheras. 

Yesterday, Ewe Hock said his brother had agreed to coach the players on a temporary basis. 

“Indra was to have come here but due to SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) and the uncertainty over the Open tournaments, he has decided not to come,” said Ewe Hock. 

“But he has prepared a training programme for us and Ewe Chye is coaching us based on it. 

“Former international Razif Sidek also occasionally turns up for training and gives a few pointers for the players.” 

Meanwhile, the BA of Malaysia have given thumbs up to the former national doubles chief coach Park Joo-bong’s plan to set-up the International Badminton Academy (IBA) in Kuala Lumpur. 

On Thursday, the South Korean doubles maestro had announced that he had decided to stay on in Malaysia and form the IBA, which would be the centre of training for national players from under-developed countries. 

Yesterday, the BAM general manager cum secretary P. Ganga Rao said that they welcomed Joo-bong’s move to set-up such an academy in Malaysia. 

“It is an honour to the country to have one of the greatest names in badminton to set-up the IBA here in Malaysia. We are happy with it. It also reflects on Malaysia’s capacity as a badminton playing nation,” said Ganga. 

BAM had also worked closely with former chief coach Han Jian of China to conduct coaching clinics in Malaysia.  

Professional outfit Nusa Mahsuri are also another active club running coaching clinics throughout the country.