Badminton: Nova appointed as the new national mixed doubles coach

KUALA LUMPUR: The cat is out of the bag. The BA of Malaysia (BAM) today confirmed the appointment of two-time former world champion Nova Widianto as the new national mixed doubles coach.

On Monday, Timesport reported that the 45-year-old Nova, a mixed doubles world champion in 2005 and 2007 with his former partner Liliyana Natsir, was set to join the Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM) next month.

According to a statement released by BAM, Nova will report to doubles coaching director Rexy Mainaky and be tied to a two-year contract.

"The national mixed doubles players will benefit extensively from the hiring of renowned two-time former mixed doubles world champion Nova Widianto as the national coach.

"Nova has signed a two-year contract with the national body to take charge of the mixed doubles department. He will be reporting to doubles coaching director Rexy Mainaky.

"BAM look forward to working with Nova when he assumes his position next month," the statement said.

Rexy added: "The national mixed doubles players are excited at the prospect of having a coach of Nova's calibre helping them.

"Nova's knowledge and experience will be valuable to the current players in the squad, especially with the qualifying competitions for the Paris Olympics beginning next year."

Assistant coach Teo Kok Siang took charge of the mixed doubles department following the departure of another Indonesian, Paulus Firman, in April.

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