KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 28 – The writing was on the wall when it was announced in late October that Indonesian Rexy Mainaky will be renewing his links with the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) as a deputy director of coaching.
The Malaysian permanent resident, took up the post on December 1 and on Tuesday (Dec 28) the BAM announced a major revamp of its coaching structure. It was revealed by BAM secretary-general Datuk Kenny Goh that the national body will have two coaching directors – one for singles and one for doubles.
BAM’s incumbent director of coaching Wong Choong Hann – “The Voice of BAM” – will be in charge of the singles while Rexy will be the supremo for doubles. Rexy, 53, has returned to Malaysia after a nine-year absence.
In October, HubMedia reported that the BAM coaching setup is expected to undergo revamping after Malaysia’s flop at the Tokyo Olympics where badminton returned without a gold medal and were rather lucky to win a bronze medal in the men’s doubles through Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik.Reigning All-England champion Lee Zii Jia was hailed as potential gold medal prospect in Tokyo after winning the prestigious title in Birmingham.
Next year will be a hectic year for badminton with the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England, the Sea Games (Vietnam) and not forgetting the Thomas Cup.
HubMedia reported that Rexy’s arrival left many question marks. Will he be handed wide ranging powers, especially in the doubles? That questions were answered on Tuesday (Dec 28) when Datuk Kenny announced BAM is “moving forward by streamlining” the coaching structure.
Rexy’s arrival will expand BAM’s Indonesian family in the coaching setup. BAM already has a strong pool of Indonesian coaches in the setup – Hendrawan (men’s singles), Flandy Limpele (men’s doubles), Indra Wijaya (women’s singles) and Paulus Firman (mixed doubles).
Rexy needs no introduction in the shuttle sport. He comes with strong credentials, having achieved highs as a player and also a coach. The most recent, as head of coaching with the Badminton Association of Thailand (BAT).
The Indonesian ace is not new to Malaysian badminton. He was the men’s doubles coach from 2005-2012 who groomed Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong into world beaters.
The pair also won Asiad gold in Doha in 2006, defeating Indonesia’s Luluk Hadiyanto-Alvent Yulianto 21-13, 21-14 in the final.
Kien Keat-Boon Heong also won the All-England in 2007 – defeating China’s Cai Yun-Fu Haifeng 21-15, 21-18 for the title.
HubMedia also reported in its story in October, that many, including players and coaches are not happy with Choong Hann’s “politics” as the BAM’s director of coaching.
With time against BAM in its mission to make up for the flop at the Tokyo Olympics, the national badminton body has taken the right steps to make it count in Paris 2024 Olympics.
About The Author
