BAM to get 6 new coaches to help Rexy, Jonassen [WATCH]

KUALA LUMPUR: BAM plans to recruit five to six coaches to assist coaching directors Rexy Mainaky (doubles) and Kenneth Jonassen (singles) in the national team restructure.

BAM Performance Committee chairman Datuk Seri Lee Chong Wei confirmed that Yeoh Kay Bin and Zakry Latif are among the shortlisted coaches, while there are also a couple of foreigners being considered for senior and junior positions. BAM will announce the new coaches on Tuesday.

"We will hire five to six new coaches who will serve at senior and junior levels. The majority will be local coaches — more Malaysians.

"I cannot fully confirm the rest of the line-up because we only received the budget approval yesterday. We need to reorganise BAM's coaching set-up. I think BAM will make an announcement on the full line-up.

"There may be some from overseas, but our priority is local coaches. Only if we cannot find suitable local coaches will we look abroad.

"As the chairman of the Performance Committee, I always work closely with Rexy for doubles and Kenneth in the singles. Coaches know better what is needed and who they can work with for the benefit of all shuttlers.

"I am just an official — I cooperate and listen to what the coaches want. I am always behind them, supporting whatever the coaches need," said Chong Wei.

Kay Bin, who guided independent shuttler Lee Zii Jia for a year before resigning last month, is touted to take over Tey Seu Bock's position as the national junior coach.

Meanwhile, former doubles international Zakry is set to become the assistant to national women's doubles chief coach Rosman Razak.

There is also a proposal for current men's singles coach K. Yogendran to helm the juniors, which Chong Wei did not rule out.

"There was a proposal for Yogendran to guide the juniors, but we are also looking at other new coaches for the role," said Chong Wei.

"Kay Bin and Zakry are also on the list, as we want to give more opportunities to homegrown coaches.

"At the moment, no one is being dropped. We are only adding to the set-up. We are also not recruiting foreign-based Malaysian coaches this time, but the door is always open in the future if we need anyone's services."

Chong Wei also said that BAM council's approval to review and increase coaches' salaries is a positive move.

He added that BAM president Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz has agreed in principle to salary revisions for the coaches.

"We also requested the president yesterday (Saturday) to consider increasing the salaries of local coaches. Many people often ask why so many local coaches work overseas — I know it's because the salaries abroad are slightly higher," added Chong Wei.

"We hope we can retain more local coaches within our national team. This is my proposal and also that of BAM secretary-general Datuk Kenny Goh. The president has agreed in principle, and we are waiting to secure the budget before going ahead."