Home � Top News � Don’t let Misbun go, BAM

Don’t let Misbun go, BAM

Posted by Lucas Liau Top News 10:26 AM

PETALING JAYA: World No. 1 Lee Chong Wei has no plan to part company with his coach and mentor Misbun Sidek.
And he hopes that the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) will seriously look into Misbun’s resignation and coax him out of quitting as national coach.
Misbun tendered his resignation on Dec 31 due to unhappiness over several decisions and remarks made by top officials in the BAM.

World number one Lee Chong Wei’s back is against the wall. Torn between coach Misbun Sidek and paymaster the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM), Chong Wei said Sunday he would follow his mentor. With Misbun having tendered his resignation, Chong Wei now hopes to see the BAM find a way to persuade his coach to stay in his post.

Chong Wei said that he would choose to follow Misbun if he were left without a choice.
“I am loyal to my coach. After all, he has been the man behind my rise as a successful player (over the last six years). I will follow him,” said Chong Wei.
“I want Misbun to be on my side in my preparation for all the tournaments leading to the London Olympic Games next year.
“My coach is frustrated right now and I respect his decision. He is unhappy over some matters. I hope the BAM will cooperate and resolve the issues and look into his grouses again.
“It is not right to only blame the coach when things don’t go right. The BAM should be supportive in the good and bad times.”
It is learnt that Misbun was unhappy over some of the changes made by the BAM training and coaching committee.
The last straw was the committee’s decision last Thursday to reject his appeal to coach his son, Misbun Ramdan.
Chong Wei said that several BAM officials showed a lack of appreciation.
“For the last two years, I won many international titles but they were far from satisfied. They look at one or two defeats. They do not care too much about our feelings,” he said.
“To them, winning many titles does not mean much. Some other players also feel unappreciated but they are not as brave as me to speak up.” The All-England champion said that he would wait for a BAM decision before making any conclusions on his future with the national team.
“I would like to see my coach sitting behind me when I play in the Malaysian Open (Jan 18-23). I hope the BAM will work towards the good of the sport for the country.” Chong Wei leaves today for Taipeh with coach Teh Seu Bock to defend the Super Series Masters Finals title beginning tomorrow.
In major tournaments, Chong Wei won the 100th edition of the All-England last year and he was the silver medallist at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games.