WINDS OF CHANGE
Frost to propose new coaching and training structure
BA of Malaysia (BAM) technical director Morten Frost believes changes to the association’s coaching and training structure are necessary to further improve the quality of players in the national team.
The Dane, who joined BAM in 2015, will be presenting a proposal at today’s coaching and training (C&T) committee meeting. It will be chaired by BAM president Datuk Seri Norza Zakaria.
“I think we have come a long way and have done well so far. However, we need a new approach to continue improving. I have spoken to Norza about it. I will be proposing a new coaching structure.
“It has not been easy but I am confident that in the next two years, we will be able to achieve our target of being one of the top three badminton nations in the world,” said Frost yesterday.
Since the arrival of Frost, the national team have moved up five rungs to World No 5 in the Badminton World Federation rankings.
It is learnt that the new plan will see coaches in each department working as a unit. Currently, some coaches are only assigned to train selected shuttlers within a department.
The grapevine also has it that a number of prominent names including former men’s singles coach Misbun Sidek, could be making a return to the national fold.
Misbun, who guided World No 1 Lee Chong Wei to his first Olympic silver medal at the 2008 Beijing Games, quit the national team in 2011, citing differences with the management.
On whether there was any truth to this, Frost said: “There are a few names that have been suggested, but I cannot confirm anything at the moment.
“I have just completed a blueprint which will be presented at the C&T meeting tomorrow (today). Let’s wait and see.”
The current BAM coaching structure has Indonesia’s Hendrawan, Indra Wijaya and Tey Seu Bock in charge of the men’s singles department.
Jeremy Gan, Rosman Razak and Cheah Soon Kit oversee the men’s pairs while the women’s singles department is under Rony Agustinus and Sairul Amar Ayob.
Wong Pei Tty and Lim Pek Siah handle the women’s pairs, while Chin Eei Hui and Pang Cheh Chang are the mixed doubles coaches.