Badminton | Misbun sees great potential in the Hatsun Badminton Academy shuttlers

Misbun Sidek, former World No. 2, All-England Open finalist, and ex-head coach of the Malaysian senior men’s badminton team, has begun his first coaching assignment outside Malaysia by joining the Hatsun Badminton Academy in Thiruthangal as a High Performance Coach. The 65-year-old will visit the academy three times a year.

Misbun, a key member of Malaysia’s 1992 Thomas Cup-winning team and two-time World Championship bronze medallist (1983 and 1985), brings decades of elite competitive experience to Indian badminton and is keen to make his mark in the country.

Speaking to The Hindu here on Wednesday, Misbun praised Hatsun Badminton Academy’s facilities for the players and hoped he can make a change for the better,

“When I was offered the job by Hatsun’s head coach Mr. Rajnikanth, I was initially reluctant, as I had never coached outside Malaysia. But seeing the determination of the team at Hatsun, I decided to accept the role. I have produced three World No.  1 players — Lee Chong Wei (2006), Rashid Sidek (1997), and Roslin Hashim (2001). I am eager to produce the fourth. And moreover, the facilities at Hatsun are really good and its young players have great potential.”

Rajnikanth emphasised the value of Misbun’s presence: “Having trained several world-class players, we feel his tactical and technical inputs will definitely help our players reach world level. He will be visiting our academy three times a year. His energy levels at this age during training sessions are really motivating.”

(The writer was in Thiruthangal at the invitation of Hatsun Badminton Academy)