Badminton: Rashid wants joint training

RASHID Sidek, strongly tipped to take over as the men’s singles coach from Li Mao whose contract is expired, has requested that the national senior squad and the 2010-2012 Project players train together if the BA of Malaysia (BAM) wants results to improve.Rashid, who currently heads the 2010-2012 Project whose players train at Juara Stadium in Bukit Kiara, said joint training is the only way he can assume full responsbility as the singles coach. He says he can concentrate on a few shuttlers from the Project squad and also focus on the seniors, if they train together.Players like Lim Kenn, Tan Chun Seang and Liew Darren train under Rashid, and they will likely to be joined by Lee Chong Wei, Wong Choong Hann and Kuan Beng Hong when BAM hand (singles) coaching duties to the former Olympic bronze medallist. Wong Tat Meng is the caretaker coach for the seniors but Rashid’s vast international experience will be invaluable in helping the national shuttlers who are preparing for August’s World Championships in Kuala Lumpur, and the Beijing Olympics next year."I have no objections in assuming the responsibilities of a singles coach but the current working order has to change. I cannot abandon the 2010-2012 Project as it will be infair to my players," said Rashid."However, joint-training will benefit everyone. The back-up players will give their 100 percent as they can use this opportunity to make a strong impact on the international scene, while the seniors will also receive quality sparring sessions from playing against their younger compatriots."We will have a win-win situation. I do not have to take charge of all the 13 players (in joint-training) as Tat Meng can focus on a few players, while Misbun (Sidek) can also take charge of some as presently he only has Hafiz Hashim under him."If the current situation persists, it will be very difficult as my players train in Bukit Kiara while the national team do so at Bukit Jalil." There are seven players — Chong Wei, Choong Hann, Hafiz, Beng Hong, Yeoh Kay Bin, K. Yogendran and James Chua — in the national senior singles, while the Project squad has Lim Kenn, Chun Seang, Liew Darren, Chong Wei Feng, Chong Li Qun and Beryno Wong.Rashid also coaches women’s singles players Julia Wong, Anita Raj and Norsyahliza Baharum with Tey Siu Bock as his assistant.