Ongoing search for HPD

CHIN CHAI

KUALA LUMPUR: The search is still on.

Contrary to popular belief, the BA of Malaysia (BAM) are still looking for the “perfect” candidate to serve as High Performance Director as the present team of four has been tasked to guide the coaches and players till the London Olympics.

“We are still looking for the right candidate. That has always been the stand of the Exco, to have one individual to do he job but sadly the candidates we had so far did no meet all our criteria,” said BAM secretary Ng Chin Chai.

“So we’re still open and welcome any candidate who fits the bill to take over the role for the next Olympic cycle.”

The current team consisting of National Sports Institute (NSI) coordinator Col (Rtd) Wong Ah Jit, former international Datuk James Selvaraj, National Sports Council (NSC) elite programme director Ariffin Ghani and Chin Chai was formed when BAM could not find a suitable candidate despite advertising the position in several major dailies earlier this year.

The team replaced James who served as HDP on a part-time basis. His contract expired last December.

Among those who were interviewed were former internationals Yap Kim Hock and Razif Sidek.

Meanwhile, Chin Chai believed the top shuttlers, including world No 1 Lee Chong Wei, would benefit from staying in the national set-up instead of training on their own.

Doubles player Ong Soon Hock is the latest player to leave BAM. He joined Hafiz Hashim, Zakry Abdul Latif and Fairuzizuan Tazari to train on his own.

“If they want to leave it cannot be viewed negatively. Sometimes we are in a predicament, to keep them or drop them from the national set-up and when they decide, it makes our lives easier.

“Chong Wei, on the other hand, will still benefit from training with us as we doubt he will be able to receive the same form of support elsewhere.

“If the players are still good enough, they can still serve the country,” he added.