BAM empowers Rexy, Jonassen to hire coaches

KUALA LUMPUR: BAM president Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz has reiterated that national coaching directors Kenneth Jonassen (singles) and Rexy Mainaky (doubles) are empowered to decide the national training programme and the hiring of new coaches.

He said that new appointments do not need to be discussed at council level, which is why the matter was not brought up at the council meeting at the Axiata Arena today.

"We empowered the two coaching directors to decide. They don't have to bring it to the council. Once the Performance Committee under (Lee) Chong Wei has approved it, that means there is no issue," said Tengku Zafrul.

"We have to trust the credibility of both our coaching directors and Chong Wei. We will just monitor the situation. Once a decision is made, they just have to inform us.

"If it involves finances (salaries), of course, it will go to the Finance Committee, and they will always keep us informed. But earlier, I think nothing was finalised and there was no detailed discussion on the coaches.

"The only discussion was on the salaries of local coaches, where we agreed that a review is needed. The review will be based on performance and all the relevant criteria, and on whether we should increase it or not. But the consensus is clear — we must review it."

Meanwhile, the former minister of Investment, Trade and Industry confirmed the promotion of Tey Seu Bock as the national senior singles coach.

It has become an open secret that Seu Bock has started coaching the senior singles shuttlers, including world No. 28 Leong Jun Hao at this week's Malaysia Open.

It is learnt that the review of coaches' salaries, including the remuneration of incoming coaches, could increase BAM's expenses by another RM2 million this year.

Meanwhile, BAM is planning to have a two-week training camp prior to the Thomas and Uber Cup Finals in Horsens, Denmark, from April 24-May 3 to enhance Malaysia's chances of winning the Thomas Cup.