IPOH: The absence of national back-up coach Hendrawan in the Perak Open at the Indera Mulia Stadium has raised two questions.
Is he set to be promoted to the national team? Or is he planning to leave the national set-up?
With all his players competing in the Perak Open, the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) have surprisingly allowed him to take leave to spend time with his family in Jakarta.
As a back-up coach, the Perak Open is an important platform for Hendrawan to keep an eye on fresh talents from other states.
His absence may be an indication that he is no longer needed.
He may even be roped in to coach world No. 1 Lee Chong Wei.
After all, he had worked with Chong Wei during the World Championships in Copenhagen, Denmark.
The presence of two China coaches – He Guo Quan and Zhou Yang – also indicates that changes are due in the men's singles coaching set-up.
The duo are at the Perak Open to observe the players and coaches. They are then expected to give feedback to the BAM management.
It is also uncertain whether national singles chief coaches Rashid Sidek and Tey Seu Bock will continue in their roles when their contracts end in December.
BAM general manager Kenny Goh quashed talks of Hendrawan quitting.
"Hendrawan is on annual leave. It has been a hectic schedule and he had been involved in most of the major tournaments," said Kenny.
"There are no more major tournaments and the season is tapering off for most of our players. This is the best time for him to take his break. He will come back and assist in the preparation for the Superseries Finals and also get the plans ready for next year."
Ironically, only Chong Wei has qualified for the Superseries Finals in Dubai in December.
Without Hendrawan on Thursday, all his back-up players – except for Soo Teck Zhi – fell in the second round of the men's singles event.
Those who crashed out were reigning Vietnam International Series champion Lim Chi Wing, Cheam June Wei, Vincent Phuah Cheng Wei and Soong Joo Ven.
Source : http://www.thestar.com.my/Sport/Badminton/2014/10/09/Hendrawans-absence-in-Ipoh-raises-a-few-eyebrows/
