Pressure to BAM on Bringing Misbun to Chong Wei
It was good, but not enough. That is the message from Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Shabery Cheek in regards to Lee Chong Wei performance in 2011. Lee Chong Wei reached 11 finals, three semi-finals and won seven titles which is an impressive achievement. But the two back-to-back defeats to Chen Long is unacceptable and the recent Super Series China Open semi-final loss was grains in the salt.
Datuk Cheek added "Current coaches Tey Seu Bock, Rashid Sidek and Hendrawan may be good coaches but they lack the much needed experience in analyzing the weak areas and giving spot-on advice to Chong Wei. Misbun’s presence would give Chong Wei an air of confidence and psychological edge over his opponents like Lin Dan or Chen Long, which could determine between winning or losing at the 2012 London Olympics".
"The BAM coaching committee cannot gamble on the current coaches. Chong Wei has lost to his arch-rival Lin Dan four out of the five times they played. He has eight months to plan his schedule for training, rest and competition in his quest for the 2012 Olympic gold medal. Now it is learned that he is keen to get the services of his mental trainer Fred Tan which is vital for his preparation on top of his very demanding training. As a fan, I appeal to BAM to put aside their differences with Misbun for the good of the nation to win the ultimate singles gold medal, provided Chong Wei stays free of injury during these crucial eight months".
"This is not about anyone's personal pride. Misbun may feel apprehensive about coming back and BAM may feel that such a move would be swallowing their pride but what is important is the country's badminton," he told Bernama
However, a local daily reported that Misbun seemed non-committal to such a move, adding that the former coach had said that BAM had enough experts to determine Chong Wei's success towards winning an Olympic gold medal.
So if Chong Wei fails to deliver gold to Malaysia, will BAM be ready to take the blame?
Misbun is probably Coming Back
Losing back to back to China is causing panic already to BAM? It is probably "YES".
The Chief of BAM, Kenny Goh, is waiting for Lee Chong Wei's opinion, if he prefers to be trained again by his mentor, Misbun Sidek. At this moment, Morten Frost Hansen is set as an alternative, assuming Misbun Sidek declines the offers. Misbun Sidek had worked for eight years under BAM. He resigned last year on December 31 due to personal reason. Currently, Lee Chong Wei is under coach Tey Siu Bock assisted by Rashid Sidek and Hendrawan.
According to Goh, BAM is always looking for better alternatives to help players. However, BAM will not make abrasive decision. "We have to listen directly from Datuk Chong Wei, if he prefers to be trained by Misbun for his preparation to this coming Summer Olympics. As of now, we have not meet with Datuk Chong Wei, therefore we cannot confirm the plans."
While the choice is on his hand, Chong Wei still could not give details of his decision. "Even if I wanted, I cannot make a decision because I am under BAM (Badminton Association of Malaysia). BAM has a manager, an officer, who makes the decisions. I just follow."
Chong Wei also said that one of his most disappointing moments of his illustrious career was losing the World Championship title in London last August.
"The World Championships loss was the most painful and it still hurts. I still feel 'down' until now. But with the new year coming, I want to forget everything and start afresh," said Chong Wei who will be competing in the Korean Open early next year and the Malaysian Open from Jan 10-15.
Chong Wei is a defending champion of Malaysia Open. If he failed to secure his championship, BAM may have to take whatever it takes to save this player.