Rashid Sidek is trying to strengthen the Thomas, Uber Cups squad (pic)

KUALA LUMPUR: On March 20, after Datuk Misbun Sidek turned down the Badminton Association of Malaysia’s (BAM)'s offer to become the badminton supremo, they've decided that they started looking for a chief coach for both the singles and doubles departments.

BAM has appointed Rashid Sidek as the singles chief coach, and as an interim coach for the doubles department for the time being. Meanwhile, Tan Kim Her’s contract has been extended to oversee the men’s doubles back-up shuttlers.

Rashid, who is glad to be back at the helm, said that his priority now is to keep the team together for Thomas and Uber Cup Finals in New Delhi from May 18-25.

“Is good to be back. My focus is to make sure that our team’s preparations are on track for the Thomas and Uber Cup Finals,” Rashid said.

Rashid's role are to plan and strategise the team’s approach for both the Thomas and Uber Cup Finals. He needs to ensure that his team are ready with the head-to-head information of all their opponents. He will facilitate the motivational camp, to build confidence, and to determine the probable line-ups by working with other coaches.

Furthermore, he will consult National Sports Institute (NSI) experts on how to tap the best from all their players – physically, mentally and technically.
The good thing is, he had gone through this process previously.

Rashid’s immediate task is to get the players psyched up for the Malaysia Open Grand Prix Gold starting in Pasir Gudang, Johor. There are a lot of rising stars from China, India, Japan, Indonesia and Taiwan in that tournament.

In the men’s singles, Malaysia is betting hopes on Chong Wei Feng,  Goh Soon Huat, Chong Yee Han, Soo Teck Zhi, Mohd Nur Azriyn Ayub, Goh Giap Chin and several independent shuttlers like former world junior champion Zulfadli Zulkiffli, Kuan Beng Hong, Mohd Arif Latif and K. Yogendran.

Malaysia won only one title through Lim Khim Wah-Goh V Shem in the men’s doubles, while Soon Huat let slip a chance to nail his first international title after losing to Alamsyah Yunus of Indonesia in the men’s singles final last year.