KUALA LUMPUR: The delay in naming Malaysia's men's singles head coach indicates that BAM is having second thoughts on offering the post to Indonesian Mulyo Handoyo.
And now Denmark's Kenneth Jonassen seems to be ahead of Mulyo in the pecking order.
BAM coaching director Rexy Mainaky had said on Oct 15 that the new candidate will be announced three days later but he kept mum on it after that.
Rexy had since then changed his tune and said it is BAM which will make the final call on the matter. He has declined to give any further updates after that.
It is learnt that Mulyo, who was instrumental in guiding Indonesian Taufik Hiadayat to the 2004 Athen Olympics and the 2005 world championships men's singles gold, may not be BAM's first choice.
That despite Mulyo credited with having groomed India's top shuttlers K. Srikanth, H. S. Prannoy and Sai Praneet and Singapore's former world champion.
Although Rexy might have felt that Mulyo's vast experience will be an asset in rebuilding the national men's singles set-up, it is learnt that BAM wants to keep its options open and continue its search.
The age factor may be against Mulyo who is already 63, and BAM is on the lookout for a hands-on coach.
Denmark's outgoing head coach Jonassen could be another option for BAM provided that he is interested in taking up a challenge outside Europe.
Interestingly, Jonassen had said that he would be heading to Malaysia for a vacation in December
Jonassen is known for guiding Viktor Axelsen to the Tokyo Olympics gold in 2021 and the 2017 world title in Glasgow besides grooming world class shuttlers like Anders Antonsen and Rasmus Gemke.
BAM is also known for making unexpected choices in the past, and it may just come up with a surprise choice for the men's singles job in the coming weeks.