Role in badminton asia just the fresh challenge rashid is seeking

PETALING JAYA: Former international Datuk Rashid Sidek has embarked on a new challenge by joining the Asia Olympic 2020-2024 project, run by Badminton Asia, as a singles coach.

The programme is geared towards identifying talented players from developing nations in the continent and providing them the opportunity to try and qualify for major events like the Olympics.

Players who are selected under the programme will undergo training stints several times in a year where Rashid will coach them during those stints and also provide training programmes.

Rashid said Badminton Asia’s senior manager of development, A. Thanabalan, a former national player, had approached him to run the programme.

“I was approached by Thana to help out with the coaching as he was travelling around the countries to run the programme alone. I thought it was a fresh challenge for me to coach the players from developing countries, so I accepted the offer,” said Rashid.

“Under the programme, they have two groups but I am in charge of the elite players. Normally, there will be two players from countries from the Middle East, Nepal, Cambodia, Timor Leste and other minor badminton nations in Asia attending centralised training regularly.

“I will be coaching them during the stints and I will also be required to provide training programmes for the players to follow during the decentralised phases in their respective countries.

“The objective is to help them prepare for international tournaments under Badminton World Federation (BWF) and Badminton Asia, and also get the chance of qualifying for major events like the World Championships and the Olympics.

“Although it is a not a full-time role, I don’t mind offering my services as I will be happy even if only one of the players from this group qualifies for the Olympics.”

Rashid said his first stint under the Badminton Asia programme was in Penang last month in a two-day training camp and he had also concluded another session in Kuala Lumpur this week.

Although his role is on a part-time basis, Rashid is happy to try something new in his career as working with diverse groups in the sport will only help him to become a more complete coach.

The former national singles head coach has also coached Cheah Liek Hou for two years and helped him to become Malaysia’s first Paralympics gold medallist in badminton in Tokyo last year.

Rashid also coached the Malaysian squad who competed at the Asean University Games in Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand, in August, besides running his own club (Rashid Sidek Badminton Club).

For his new role, Rashid may also be required to travel abroad to conduct coaching camps in the future but he has no complaints as he is happy for being part of Badminton Asia’s initiative to boost the development of lesser known badminton nations.