Joo-bong: BAM must spell out clearly the role of a head coach

If ever South Korean Park Joo-bong is named head coach of the Malaysian badminton team, he will make sure several things are spelt out clearly – specifically his role and responsibilities.
The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) are desperately seeking a chief coach to head their coaching and training programme.
Many names have been mentioned, including Joo-bong’s.
Yap Kim Hock was BAM’s supremo from 2004-2008 but he did not have full authority on certain matters related to players and coaches. In fact, BAM do not have a specific guideline on what a chief coach can and cannot do.
As such, former Olympic champion Joo-bong, armed with a wealth of experience, gave his view on what a head coach’s job and role should encompass.
“If I am appointed, the first thing I would be interested in is BAM’s structure. The BAM should lay out their structure first. How can the national, back-up and junior programmes co-exist?” said Joo-bong.
“The squad’s targets need to be specific, with their short- and long-term plans clearly spelt out.
“The next focus is the 2016 Olympic Games and one must not forget the Asian Games in 2014 and Thomas Cup.
“Then, there is the selection of players. The head coach must have a full say on it. He will also have to oversee the training programmes and make the right decisions. He must determine the tournaments for the elite and back-up players. The management cannot meddle in this.”
Joo-bong, who was Malaysia’s chief coach from 2000-2003, said that apart from being given the power to make decisions, the head coach should also be given full backing by the BAM.
“The job of a head coach comes with huge responsibility and power. He will be the strategist. He should be given some form of control but, of course, some matters need to be discussed with the parent body. But when it comes to technical matters, the chief coach should be given the trust to do the job,” he said.
On the future of Malaysian badminton, he said: “Malaysia have been depending on Lee Chong Wei and Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong for the last few years. I see some potential players in the team but the number is not as big as before. This aspect needs to be looked into.”
Joo-bong has been the head coach for Japan over the last seven years and he has transformed its image from minnows into a respected badminton country.
Asked whether he would consider returning if offered a lucrative financial package, he said: “My contract with Japan runs until March (next year).
“Yes, I am open to the idea but no one has approached me yet.”
Joo-bong won’t come cheap and BAM will definitely have to fork out a tidy sum. But then again, it could very well turn out to be a worthwhile investment.
Courtesy of The Star