SPECULATION: BAM has no interest in hiring Indonesian
FORMER Indonesian Olympic champion Ricky Subagja is the latest candidate linked to coaching the national men's doubles team as the BA of Malaysia (BAM) restructures the national team.
Ricky, who won the men's doubles gold medal with Rexy Mainaky in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, is currently with the Indonesia BA (PBSI) as a coach.
The Indonesian hardly has any coaching experience as he was previously involved in hotel and entertainment business chains and his interest in coaching in Malaysia is a surprise.
However, BAM general manager Kenny Goh said Ricky was never in the association's hit-list.
"I know there was speculation but we never approached him to become the national coach nor did he write to us," said Goh.
"In fact, we have not finalised the candidates. The names of several candidates have been mentioned but no final decisions have been made. The BAM executive council (Exco) will deliberate all issues, including the hiring of coaches, next week."
South Korean Park Joo Bong is still in the running to be offered the position of chief coach although BAM has yet to make a move to secure his services.
Indonesian women's doubles coach Paulus, who was in charge of the suspended Meiliana Jauhari-Greysia Polii, is also being considered as he has served PBSI in various roles, including as men's doubles coach.
Paulus was also the coach of professional outfit Wira Tangkis in the early 1990s when Soo Beng Kiang and current national men's doubles coach Tan Kim Her were in their stable.
Among the locals, Cheah Soon Kit's name has been cropping up regularly, with the former doubles ace even being mentioned as the potential chief coach should BAM fail to secure Joo Bong.
Former international Kwan Yoke Meng is also in the running to lead one of the two project squads -- 2016 and 2020 -- while names such as Wong Tat Meng, Wong Choong Hann and Yap Kim Hock have also surfaced.
However, BAM is not expected to rush into appointing new coaches as it is keen on first finalising the chief coach.
The coaches and players for the 2016 and 2020 programmes can be completed after the appointment of the chief coach as the programmes are only expected to be launched in January.
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