Misbun back as coach, but may not get lucrative ‘package’
Top News 1:28 PM
SUBANG JAYA: After three months in seclusion, Misbun Sidek is back to serve as a coach once again with the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM).
But one thing is for sure – there will be some changes in his role when he signs a new contract with the national body.
He may be reunited with his blue-eyed boy and reigning All-England champion Lee Chong Wei but at the same time he may be given additional tasks to unearth new talents.
And Misbun’s new “package” may not be as lucrative as what he had enjoyed before. He was the highest paid coach in the national team before his shocking decision to leave the national team on Dec 31.
Misbun Sidek(right) is back as national coach with the Badminton Association of Malaysia. Yesterday, BAM’s president Datuk Seri Nadzmi Mohd Salleh said Misbun, who controversially resigned on Dec 31, had withdrawn his resignation and would return as coach without any conditions. While Misbun makes a return, Wong Mew Choo(right), the women shuttler who turned the odds around to win the China Open in 2007, is calling it a day on her badminton playing career, but is to become a coach.
Whatever the arrangement made or whichever way they try to re-fit him in the national team, Misbun is expected to resume his duty on BAM’s terms.
Yesterday, BAM president Datuk Seri Nadzmi Mohd Salleh said that Misbun had agreed to withdraw his resignation and return without setting any conditions.
“I met Misbun twice and spoke to him several times on the phone. Four days ago, he sent a letter to me acknowledging his decision to withdraw his resignation,” said Nadzmi after a council meeting at The Summit Hotel here yesterday.
“And today, the council, unanimously, decided to offer him new terms of employment. No, we were not divided in making this decision, The details of the contract will be drafted later.”
“We will not make any changes in our coaching and training structure to accommodate Misbun’s return.”
Nadzmi, however, was non-committal when asked to state the “official” reasons behind Misbun’s resignation and on why he had taken such a long time to make a comeback.
“Misbun left on his own accord. He will be the best person to explain on why he left and why he is coming back again,” he said.
“Misbun is now back and it is our responsibility now to look into ways to assist him towards preparing Chong Wei for the Olympic Games (in 2012).”
Misbun’s return will, however, put several people in an awkward position.
In his absence, Rashid Sidek and Tey Seu Bock have done well to manage Chong Wei and four other elite shuttlers – Tan Chun Seang, Chong Wei Feng, Liew Daren and Chan Kwong Beng.
When asked whether it was a good move to have three coaches to handle a five-member elite team, Nadzmi said: “I will leave it to the coaching and training committee (headed by Ng Chin Chai) to look into it.”
Chong Wei also made a quick adjustment in the absence of Misbun although the world number one had made a bold statement that he would follow his coach if BAM failed to coax his coach to make a return.
The 29-year-old entered four finals – Super Series Masters Finals, Malaysia Open, South Korea Open and All-England – in the last three months. Except for the South Korea Open, he won the other three, including his famous straight-game win over Lin Dan en route to retaining his All-England title last month.
Posted by Lucas Liau
on 1:28 PM.
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