Khairy hopes BAM are back on track after resolving issues
KUALALUMPUR: Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin hopes the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) are back on track after resolving some problems with their national coaches.
Khairy had a discussion with BAM president Tengku Tan Sri Mahaleel Tengku Ariff on Wednesday and was happy that all the issues had been resolved and hoped that Rashid Sidek would reconsider his decision to resign.
Last week, national singles coach Rashid Sidek quit because he could not work under the new coaching environment set up by BAM Talent Management Group (TMG) director Tan Aik Mong.
On Tuesday, Aik Mong withdrew from the programme, a day after Tengku Mahaleel reverted to the original structure during a meeting on Monday with the national coaches.
Khairy said that as far as he was concerned, the matter is settled.
“After my discussion with Tan Sri Mahaleel on Wednesday, I believe that all issues have been resolved. Tengku Mahaleel has received explanations from both Rashid and Tey Seu Bock (on the Indian Badminton League contracts),” said Khairy after launching the Asian Federation of Sports Medicine Congress at the Berjaya Times Square Convention Centre yesterday.
“Rashid is a national hero and should have been treated accordingly. For now, BAM have made him an offer and I hope he will consider returning. He has good relationships with the players – especially Lee Chong Wei.”
On Aik Mong, Khairy said: “I was told by Tengku Mahaleel that Aik Mong has set up a new plan for coaching and this will be used. He did not want to be embroiled in any controversy and has agreed to step down.
“The focus for Tengku Mahaleel and Aik Mong has been on coaching and naturally, this ruffled some feathers. Some people will be unhappy when changes take place. I support the effort to strengthen our coaching set-up.”
Khairy, however, hopes that in the future matters concerning coaches would be handled more tactfully.
“I think problems arose in BAM because of miscommunication and rash assumptions by parties involved.
“They had good intentions. Everyone wanted to find replacements for Lee Chong Wei but there could have been some miscommunication.
“I have been told that the new coaching plan has been put in place. We can now close the chapter on this issue,” he added.