Hendrawan will handle the back-up boys, says Rashid
News 9:34 AM
NATIONAL singles chief coach Rashid Sidek will hand over all his elite back-up players to come under the charge of Hendrawan so that he can play a more prominent role as an overseer.
The Indonesian former world champion will arrive today and begin work on Wednesday. And Rashid will meet Hendrawan tomorrow and lay out plans for him.
If the plans are agreeable to all parties, four elite back-up players — Tan Chun Seang, Mohd Arif Abdul Latif, Chong Wei Feng and Liew Daren — will immediately come under the charge of Hendrawan.
Rashid has worked with these players since 2004 and none of them has managed to win an Open title this far.
“All my players will be handed to Hendrawan. I will help out during training as and when is required,” said Rashid.
“I am not giving up my responsibilities but I think that it will be good for Hendrawan to have a shot at taking these players to another level.”
By giving Hendrawan the role to coach the second stringers, Rashid said that he would be able to monitor and help out with Misbun Sidek’s group of players and the women’s singles department.
Currently, the players under Misbun’s care are world No. 1 Lee Chong Wei, Mohd Hafiz Hashim, Kuan Beng Hong, Wong Mew Choo, Chan Kwong Beng and Lok Chong Chieh.
And those under the charge of Teh Seu Bock are Julia Wong (who is recovering from a knee injury), Lydia Cheah, Sannatasah Saniru, Tee Jing Yee, Ooi Swee Wern, Ng Sin Zou and Stephanie Shalini Sukumaran.
“I can oversee all these three groups. I will be more mobile to move around, depending on the needs of each group,” said Rashid.
“What is more important is for all of us to work together. My main goal is to add depth to the singles department and make sure that there is always quality supply of players for the national team.”
On moving more players from Misbun’s group to Hendrawan’s squad, Rashid said that it would be left to his elder brother to make a decision.
“I will let Misbun decide on who he wants to move over. A decision to send Hafiz and Beng Hong to Hendrawan is still pending. We will discuss this,” said Rashid.
Hendrawan is the third Indonesian coach to join the Malaysian national team. Rexy Mainaky is now the chief coach of the doubles department.
And the late Indra Gunawan was in Malaysia for two years (2001-2002) and he was in charge of the singles department.
Posted by Lucas Liau
on 9:34 AM.
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