BAM to probe claims of men’s doubles coach’s lack of commitment
KUALA LUMPUR: There is no room for under-performing coaches in the national badminton team.
That’s the Badminton Association of Malaysia’s (BAM) response to former doubles shuttler Tan Boon Heong’s outburst on Thursday over the lack of commitment of one of the national coaches in the men’s doubles department.
Boon Heong blamed a coach for not giving his 100% focus in training, which resulted in disharmony among the men’s doubles players and also poor results in major tournaments this year.
The latest blow was at the Asian Games when the team returned with no medals. National No. 1 and No. 2 pairs Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong and Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi fought valiantly before going down in the quarter-finals.
The men’s doubles are handled by head coach Paulus Firman, Cheah Soon Kit and Vountus Indra Mawan.
Soon Kit was demoted from training the seniors to handling the juniors after the Thomas Cup Finals in Bangkok, Thailand, in May. Players have been upset with some of his decisions on selection of players and training methods.
BAM coaching and training (CNT) chairman Datuk Ng Chin Chai (pic) said they would investigate whether Boon Heong’s statement was true.
“We’re aware of what Boon Heong has said and we’ll find out whether his statements about our coaches are true,” said Chin Chai, who is also the national body’s secretary.
Boon Heong said players have been demoralised for some time due to the coaches’ poor management.
“We appreciate his opinion and concern. We’ll surely find ways to resolve the issue if there is truth to it.
“The role of coaches is indeed important in training. We know that a good environment brings out the best in players.”
Chin Chai said they would also discuss about coaches’ and players’ performance at the Asian Games.
“We did not meet our two-medal target. The committee will look into reports from coaches and will continue to look at ways to improve our coaching and training programmes,” added Chin Chai, who will chair the CNT meeting on Wednesday.