‘CHONG WEI IS LIKE MY SON’
Misbun on his decision to return to BAM
FABIAN PETER fabian.mark@nst.com.my
DATUK Misbun Sidek revealed that it was Lee Chong Wei’s persistence that convinced him to return to the BA of Malaysia (BAM), after six years of separation.
Misbun, 57, on Thursday agreed to take up the role of men’s singles head coach, saying he was touched by Chong Wei’s emotional visits to his home in Kuala Lumpur.
“To be frank, my decision to return is because of Chong Wei, he is like my son. Even my wife thinks of him as her own. So when he comes over often, persuading me to return as his coach, I couldn’t say no.
“Whatever happened in the past is now history. I have forgotten about it and want to move forward.
“The past six years, I have been watching Chong Wei from a distance, and I can see him still playing well using the knowledge I’ve passed down to him while I was his coach. However, as of late his form has been somewhat uncertain.
“Due to this fact, he has shared a lot with me and eventually, I gave in. When a son goes to his father seeking help, a father must say yes,” said Misbun when met at his residence in Kuala Lumpur.
Misbun said he also met BAM president Datuk Seri Norza Zakaria to get an understanding as to how far is he wanted at the national association.
“I had to know if BAM are sincerely in need of my services. Because if I am going to be there just for the sake of being there, then I rather not have this job.
“But Datuk Seri is a man of vision, and he explained to me very nicely that this was not for show. Therefore, I said yes.”
Following the Coaching and Training (C&T) committee meeting on Thursday at the Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM), it was announced that Misbun would start work next month and will be assisted by Indonesian Hendrawan, Indra Wijaya and Sairul Amar Ayob.
After helping Chong Wei reach the final of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, Misbun quit BAM in 2011 citing differences with the management.