KUALA LUMPUR – Although the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) had offered mixed doubles coach Paulus Firman an extension on his contract, which is expected to expire at the end of the month, way back in January, Paulus has yet to decide on his future with the national badminton body, according to BAM doubles coaching director Rexy Mainaky.
The former world men’s doubles champion from Indonesia said he is still negotiating with his compatriot, who is on leave for a week since Sunday, on whether he will extend his contract and continue serving BAM for another three years.
“We are still discussing with Paulus... we made the offer in January and not at the last minute as we need to renew his permit... it is up to Paulus as to whether he will accept the contract or not,” Rexy said when met by reporters after a training session at Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM) Bukit Kiara yesterday.
BAM have previously lost several leading coaches, among them women’s singles coach Indra Wijaya, who left BAM to train national men’s singles player Lee Zii Jia after the Malaysian shuttler turned professional in January, and women’s doubles coach Chan Chong Ming, who resigned in December last year.
Last month, men’s doubles coach Flandy Limpele left BAM after deciding not to renew his contract with the association.
Meanwhile, Rexy said he has yet to decide on a suitable candidate to replace Flandy or Paulus as he is currently concentrating on preparing the national squad for the Thomas Cup in Bangkok from May 8-15 as well as the Badminton Asia Championships (BAC) in Manila, the Philippines from April 26-May 1.
“We are focusing on what we have and we are short of time as BAC is approaching,” he said.
In this regard, Rexy wants to see players, who are representing the country in BAC, to use the opportunity to prepare for the Thomas Cup and Uber Cup competitions since many countries will be featuring their strongest teams in the Super 1000 tournament.
He also added that professional men’s doubles pair Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi will soon begin their training at ABM to prepare for the Thomas Cup.
As for the Uber Cup, Rexy said three national pairs, namely Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah, Anna Ching Yik Cheong-Teoh Mei Xing and Low Yeen Yuan-Valeree Siow, were still the favourites to be listed for Bangkok. – Bernama, April 13, 2022
