KUALA LUMPUR: Is Hafiz Hashim courting BAM to return as a coach?
Hafiz, who has announced on social media that his stint as a coach with Suchitra Badminton Academy in Hyderabad has ended, was spotted at the Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM) last week as the former All England champion
is currently on holiday with his family in Malaysia.
BAM is currently on the lookout for a national women’s singles coach, and 2015 Sea Games champion Chong Wei Feng has appeared to be the prime candidate.
Hafiz said that his visit to ABM was to meet some of his former players, and he has not approached BAM for a coaching offer nor did he apply for one.
However, Hafiz said that he is open to offers from either in India or in Malaysia, including BAM, though he wanted to be stationed in Hyderabad for the time being.
National singles coaching director Kenneth Jonassen has already met with Wei Feng during the National Under-18 Championships in Ipoh last week although the Dane denied he was discussing anything about an offer.
Hafiz said that he had not been contacted by Jonassen on the matter.
“My contract with Suchitra has ended and I’m currently based with my family there. I’m here on a holiday and will return to India over the weekend,” said Hafiz.
“I went to ABM to hang out with some players. I didn’t apply for a coaching job nor did I receive any offer from BAM. Jonassen has not reached out to me or said anything.
“However, I will definitely consider any good offer from here or in India.”
Hafiz has been coaching at Suchitra since December 2023 and he also had a short stint with India’s former world champion, women’s singles P.V. Sindhu for a few months during the period.
Jonassen has also stated that he is in no rush to hire a new coach until he gets the right candidate and is willing to run the men’s and women’s singles programme with the help of his assistants K. Yogendran, Alvin Chew and Misbun Ramdan.
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