Chong Wei undecided on coach and leaves decision to BAM
Top News 2:04 PM
KUALA LUMPUR: Lee Chong Wei is torn between his loyalty to his old and new coaches.
And after a meeting with the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) yesterday, the 29-year-old decided that it was best for the national body to choose the coach for him for the programme geared towards the Olympics next year.
He is focused on winning at the world championships in August and also at the London Games. Both competitions will be held in Wembley.
Malaysia have never won a world title or an Olympic gold medal and the country is looking at Chong Wei to nail the elusive titles.
Making a choice: BAM must decide whether Misbun (left), Rashid (right) or Seu Bok (inset) will be Lee Chong Wei’s coach ahead of the world meet and the London Olympics.
Chong Wei had been under the charge of Rashid Sidek and Teh Seu Bock after Misbun Sidek made a controversial decision to quit as national coach on Dec 31.
Last Friday, BAM president Datuk Seri Nadzmi Mohd Salleh announced that Misbun had withdrawn his resignation.
It should have been a happy ending to the controversy but the matter became complicated when Chong Wei declared the next day that he was doing fine without Misbun.
The BAM coaching and training committee chairman, Ng Chin Chai, said that Chong Wei was divided when asked of his preference for a coach.
“His body language said it all and he was not in the right frame of mind in making a firm decision,” he said.
“Chong Wei has adjusted himself in the absence of Misbun. This is preventing him from making a decision and he has left it to the BAM to make the call.
“We will find the best solution for Chong Wei. He is our best hope for the upcoming major events and naturally, we will make the best arrangements for him.”
Chin Chai, who plans to meet Misbun next, said: “We are in the midst of making an appointment with him (Misbun) to look into a new contract.
“I will then call for a coaching and training committee meeting to finalise Misbun’s role. We will solve it quickly as we want the programme to be carried out smoothly.”
On whether Chong Wei will be given all three coaches at his disposal, Chin Chai said: “I would rather go through the processes before making any comment.
“Besides Misbun, we also have to meet the NSC (National Sports Council). But we promise to come out with the best solution.”
Previously, Misbun had worked together with Rashid and Seu Bock to assist Chong Wei. But Misbun always had the final say. Who will call the shots this time?
Posted by Lucas Liau
on 2:04 PM.
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