Stop speculating about new coach: BAM sec-gen

KUALA LUMPUR – Speculations about the new mixed doubles coach for the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) have recently been circulating within the badminton fraternity.

Although BAM did not deny it, its secretary-general Datuk Kenny Goh requests everyone to stop spreading rumours for fear of concern that it might hurt the individual’s relationship with his or her current employer and impact their hiring chances.

“Please do not speculate about who is coming in as the new coach for the mixed doubles department, although, we are looking for one,” he said when met at the Akademi Badminton Malaysia (ABM) today.

“The earliest we could get the new coach in would either be the end of this year or early next year.

“For the time being, we have confidence in Rexy and his assistant Teo Kok Siang, who have been doing their job very well.”

Recently, rumours have been going around that an Indonesian coach, who is currently contracted with the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI), would join doubles coaching director Rexy Mainaky this year.

The same speculation goes for former Olympic Games champion Tony Gunawan, who is also Rexy’s former partner in men’s doubles.

“I would just like to ask for one favour. Whoever spread the rumours about the PBSI coach, most probably the coach is still working with PBSI.

“So, when you start spreading the rumours about him going to be hired by BAM, what do you think is the employer’s perception towards the coach?

“So, I am begging you, please stop spreading the rumour out of respect for the individual,” Kenny added.

Meanwhile, high-performance director Tim Jones has yet to confirm the decision to open the ABM facilities and let independent players train with the national shuttlers.

“Next week when (singles coaching director) Wong Choong Hann returns from Europe, we are going to start talking to independent players on the singles side to finalise any arrangement between us.

“We will speak to the players first and get their feedback. Then we will release things to the press after that.

“We want to make sure that we respect the players and see what they have planned, and we want to make sure that whatever deal we come to works best for both parties,” he said. – The Vibes, November 4, 2022