KUALA LUMPUR: National men's singles coach K. Yogendran believes that an early arrival of their new chief is vital to the shuttlers getting a good start next year.
BAM has yet to name its new head coach after the departure of Indonesian Hendrawan this month.
A recent coaching reshuffle saw Yogendran and Alvin Chew promoted from the women's singles and men's junior singles departments respectively to the men's singles squad.
With BAM weighing its options carefully, the announcement of the new coach is expected to be delayed.
Yogendran said the presence of the new men's singles head coach is vital in changing or fine-tuning the existing programme.
The new supremo is likely to oversee a programme leading to at least one men's singles player from BAM qualifying for the 2028 Olympics.
"I have no problems working under any coach who becomes the next chief. Our hope is that he arrives early to further motivate our players," said Yogendran.
Lack of sparring partners is one of the matters that needs to be discussed with the new head coach, added Yogendran.
Currently, independent shuttler Cheam June Wei (world No. 53) is the only sparring partner for the singles shuttlers.
"At the moment, we don't have enough sparring partners as we only have June Wei. We (coaches) also double up to spar with the players."
Earlier, it was thought that BAM had decided on Indonesian legend Mulyo Handoyo, but there seems to be a change of plan. Outgoing Denmark head coach Kenneth Jonassen is said to be now on the list of candidates.