BAM look set to appoint new patron and Rexy for top post

PETALING JAYA: A badminton supremo and a new patron are set to be appointed by the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) today.

The BAM will be holding a special council meeting at the Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM) in Bukit Kiara to discuss a few important matters, including on appointments of a new coaching director and its patron.

It is learnt that former Olympic champion Rexy Mainaky of Indonesia may be chosen as the new coaching director to reshape the course of Malaysian badminton.

Rexy is currently the performance director with Thailand.

Under his leadership, the northern neighbour did well in several major tournaments, including emerging as the overall champions at the Kuala Lumpur SEA Games last year and reaching the final of the Uber Cup Finals in Bangkok, Thailand, in May.

Rexy was with Malaysia for seven and half years from 2005-2012 as the doubles chief coach and under him, former world No. 1 Tan Boon Heong-Koo Kien Keat did exceptionally well in the men’s doubles.

BAM are looking for a head honcho following the players’ dismal showing in several major tournaments this year.

The team failed to return home with medals from the Asian Games in Jakarta and they also fell short at the World Championships in Nanjing, China (last month), the Thomas Cup Finals in Bangkok, Thailand (May), and the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia (April).

Malaysia are without a coaching director following Denmark Morten Frost’s decision to give up his technical director post, which he held from 20152017.

The training programme are currently run by five heads and they are Datuk Misbun Sidek (men’s singles), Datuk Tey Seu Bock (women’s singles), Paulus Firman (men’s doubles), Rosman Razak (women’s doubles) and Pang Cheh Chang (mixed doubles).

Meanwhile, the BA of Malaysia are expected to announce the replacement for patron Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor.

One of the BAM officials said: “The BAM have to move forward and we’ve decided to name a new patron.”

It’s unsure who will replace Rosmah but a few names are being thrown around, including the Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and her daughter Nurul Izzah Anwar.