THE BA of Malaysia (BAM) will decide next week on what to do with Lee Chong Wei’s former coach, Hendrawan.
Hendrawan’s contract with BAM expires only in June next year but it is rumoured that his country, Indonesia want the former world champion to return and coach their men’s singles players.
The Indonesian was Chong Wei’s coach for several years before the former World No 1, who announced his retirement recently, was diagnosed with nose cancer last July.
BAM honorary secretary Datuk Ng Chin Chai said Hendrawan will probably be re-designated to coach a group of new players but this will only be confirmed after the association’s coaching & training committee meeting next week.
“We will listen to suggestions from our committee members before deciding on Hendrawan’s new role,” said Chin Chai in Bukit Kiara yesterday.
Meanwhile, BAM coaching director Wong Choong Hann said the up-and-coming shuttlers, including Lim Chong King, need to be in the top-30 bracket of the world rankings within the next two years in order to have any chance of emulating Chong Wei.
“These shuttlers, who are 19-years-old, should look ahead and aim for the top 30 by 2021, and subsequently take the next step forward.
“Players need to have a good ranking before they turn 21.
“From there, they can improve gradually and aim for bigger targets.
“We will also assess their performances and make changes, if necessary, to help them achieve their targets,” said Choong Hann.
Apart from Chong King, BAM are also looking at grooming his peers, Aidil Sholeh Ali Sadikin and Ng Tze Yong, who have both attained decent results this year.
Chong King grabbed the headlines recently when he reached the semi-finals of the Malaysia International Series in Ipoh.