While the BA of Malaysia (BAM) and Lee Zii Jia hogged the limelight over the last couple of weeks, another local badminton coach has left the country in search of greener pastures.
Rosman Razak, whose contract was not renewed by BAM at the end of 2020, is now the chief coach of the Philippines national squad.
The former women's doubles head coach, who was pivotal in producing top pairs like 2014 Asian Games bronze medal winners Vivian Hoo-Woon Khe Wei and 2021 Swiss Open champions Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah, has been based in the Philippines since September last year.
When contacted by Timesport, Rosman said: "Actually, I was already approached by the Philippines BA early last year. However, due to strict Covid-19 restrictions, we couldn't seal the deal.
"It wasn't until later in the year, when international borders were relaxed, that I moved to the Philippines.
"Previously, I was only handling the doubles department but here I am in charge of everything. The association have also given me the full mandate to draw up plans and programmes for the national squad, so I welcome this challenge and look forward to my time here."
Rosman noted that his contract will run until the 2024 Paris Olympics, with an option to extend for another Olympic cycle after that.
Previously, the Philippines BA supremo position was held by Indonesian badminton legend Rexy Mainaky for a year in 2012, before Paulus Firman took over from 2014-18.
Rexy and Paulus are currently attached with BAM as doubles coaching director and mixed doubles head coach, respectively.
Rosman is not the first local coach to be recognised by a foreign country.
Currently, three Malaysian coaches, Jeremy Gan, Tan Kim Her and Lee Wan Wah, are with the Japan BA, while former national women's singles coach Wong Tat Meng is with the South Korean national side.