MISBUN CREATES A ‘BAZOOKA’ FOR SHUTTLERS
Misbun creates nifty gadget that feeds shuttles to players
Trust Datuk Misbun Sidek to come out with innovative training methods.
The national men’s singles head coach has created a gadget, which he calls bazooka, to “feed” shuttles to the players during multi-drill training sessions.
He has tied up three shuttlecock tubes together (he calls them magazines) and filled each magazine with 70 shuttles.
He then slings the magazines over his shoulder and flings the shuttlecocks to the players at speed.
“It helps me. I don’t have to depend on others to assemble the shuttles and I also don’t have to bend down to pick up the shuttles,” said the 57-year-old.
Misbun has always embraced changes and is never afraid to try out something new.
That’s why he is confident that Malaysian badminton will continue to move forward following the departure of Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) technical director Morten Frost.
Frost resigned on Sept 11, leaving Misbun and four other head coaches – Cheah Soon Kit (men’s doubles), Tey Seu Bock (women’s singles), Wong Pei Tty (women’s doubles) and Chin Ee Hui (women’s singles) – to report directly to coaching and training committee chairman Datuk Seri Norza Zakaria.
Misbun said all coaches would have to find ways to manage themselves and come out with effective plans for their players.
“We have to take Morten’s exit in a positive way.
“I’ve been here for only two and a half months. I didn’t report to him directly but our relationship is good,” said Misbun.
“We have to be accountable for our players’ performances. Drastic action must be taken if we want to see better results from our players.”
Misbun also said that he did not see having five head coaches as a problem.
Previously, the BAM had either one supremo or two chief coaches – one each for singles and doubles.
“This is something different. I believe that we can work together, especially when we have to come together for team events,” he said.
On his plans for the men’s singles, Misbun said he would divide the 13 players under his charge into two groups – elite and back-up – and give each player specific targets which they must achieve within a stipulated time.