Kuala Lumpur: Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) technical director Morten Frost Hansen is more interested in engaging local coaches for the national team and Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) programmes.
He said some names have been shortlisted and was looking for at least five coaches to assist the national and junior badminton squads.
“I am looking for singles and doubles coaches for the national set up. I have quite a long list of coaches that I would like to talk to. But it will depend on the situation on their side…their attachment, commitment and so on,” he said in a press conference at BAM office, here today.
Frost said he had also talked to Lee Wan Wah, who coached Koo Kien Keat/Tan Boon Heong.
“He (Wan Wah) is just the name of a fairly good example of someone who I feel can do a good job but he is also having obligation elsewhere. It would take time to find the right one and also to find someone who is not attached at the moment,” he added.
BAM lost a number of coaches, including Zhou Yang, the BJSS’ form one coach.
In July national mixed doubles coach Tan Kim Her left the BAM to join the Badminton Association of India (BAI) after Rashid Sidek and Rosman Razak left to join Sports Affairs as the singles and doubles chief coaches in June.
Five-time world champion Lin Dan’s coach, He Guo Quan, left in May while four BJSS coaches — Zhou Kejian, Chong Kien Ling, Poh Chai Boon and Chin Tze Seong – left the BAM in January.
“We have lost quite a number of coaches but it is a very normal and natural thing that happens when your are trying to revamp a system.
“I’ve been working hard to talk to the BAM management to start looking at how and when we can employ new coaches. We will try to have all five coaches before Jan 1,” he said.
— BERNAMA
