Misbun makes an about turn, returns to BAM
Published on: Saturday, April 02, 2011
Kuala Lumpur: National singles coach Datuk Misbun Sidek who quit in a huff three months ago, made an about turn and returned to the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM).BAM president Datuk Mohd Nadzmi Salleh said Misbun had agreed to retract his resignation letter submitted on Dec 31, 2010 and accept a new contract to be offered soon.Misbun who was also Datuk Lee Chong Wei's coach, had kept mum on his future after his quit decision had stirred a controversy among badminton fans, players, officials and BAM.
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Even after Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek and National Sports Council director-general Datuk Zolkples Embong had met Misbun a number of times, the former national number one, the matter had remained unresolved until the recent announcement.Meanwhile, BAM is expected to offer Wong Mew Choo who announced her retirement Friday, a chance to turn coach.BAM President Datuk Seri Nadzmi Mohd Salleh said BAM had received Mew Choo's request to call it a day due to prolonged injury."BAM wish to record our appreciation to Mew Choo's contribution towards the country since 2003," he told reporters after chairing a BAM council meeting here Friday.
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Among Mew Choo's notable achievements were a quarterfinal spot in the 2007 World Championships and a team gold in the New Delhi Commonwealth Games last year.Currently ranked 14 in the Badminton World Federation ranking, Mew Choo had reached 7th spot, her highest standing, in October 2008.
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Nadzmi added that BAM would extend the contracts of doubles coach Rexy Mainaky and Hendrawan Sugianto for another two years and also bid for the 2013 Sudirman Cup host job.Meanwhile, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek said he was pleased to be informed that Datuk Misbun Sidek had decided to return to the BAM fold as coach.He added that Misbun's return to coach Datuk Lee Chong Wei would further boost Malaysia's gold medal winning prospect at the 2012 London Olympics. Speaking of the National Sports Institute (ISN) director-general Datuk Ramlan Abdul Aziz's condition, Ahmad Shabery said Ramlan who was admitted to the Serdang Hospital's Intensive Care Unit after complaining of chest pain, was in stable condition. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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