PETALING JAYA: Newly-hired men’s doubles coach Paulus Firman is not a
superstitious sort of guy. If he had been, he would not have accepted
the “jinxed” post.
The Indonesian arrived here yesterday to start his two-year contract with the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM).
Indonesian Rexy Mainaky quit the post last year. Then, South Korean Yoo Yong-sung also left after a fall-out with the BAM.
The 44-year-old Paulus, who hails from Bandung, is not too concerned about what happened in the past between the coaches and BAM.
“I’m just grateful that the BAM offered me this position and I accepted it without hesitation,” said Paulus, who is no stranger to Malaysian badminton having been a coach with the Wira Tangkis Badminton Club in Penang from 1995-1996.
“I did have a discussion with my good friends Rexy and Hendrawan (a singles coach with the BAM). I also had a discussion with another good friend of mine – national doubles chief coach Tan Kim Her.
“He told me that I should come here for a fresh challenge, especially in raising the standards of the men’s pairs here.
“For me there is no problem with which pairs I’m assigned to because I enjoy challenges. I’m really looking forward to it, especially since I’ve never really been in charge of men’s doubles,” said Paulus, who spent 16 years with the All-Indonesia Badminton Association (PBSI) coaching the mixed doubles, men’s singles, women’s singles and women’s doubles players.
Paulus has a huge task at hand as he has been given the task of handling national No. 1 Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong. He will also train Hoon Thien How-Tan Wee Kiong and Mohd Lufti Zaim-Tan Wee Gieen.
“I understand that the men’s doubles pairs are under a lot of pressure. I relish taking on this kind of job as it motivates me and the players.
“But first I will meet the players, get to know them a little before making any conclusions,” said Paulus, who will be at today’s training session in Bukit Kiara.
He will officially start work after the Chinese New Year.
THE STAR
The Indonesian arrived here yesterday to start his two-year contract with the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM).
Indonesian Rexy Mainaky quit the post last year. Then, South Korean Yoo Yong-sung also left after a fall-out with the BAM.
The 44-year-old Paulus, who hails from Bandung, is not too concerned about what happened in the past between the coaches and BAM.
“I’m just grateful that the BAM offered me this position and I accepted it without hesitation,” said Paulus, who is no stranger to Malaysian badminton having been a coach with the Wira Tangkis Badminton Club in Penang from 1995-1996.
“I did have a discussion with my good friends Rexy and Hendrawan (a singles coach with the BAM). I also had a discussion with another good friend of mine – national doubles chief coach Tan Kim Her.
“He told me that I should come here for a fresh challenge, especially in raising the standards of the men’s pairs here.
“For me there is no problem with which pairs I’m assigned to because I enjoy challenges. I’m really looking forward to it, especially since I’ve never really been in charge of men’s doubles,” said Paulus, who spent 16 years with the All-Indonesia Badminton Association (PBSI) coaching the mixed doubles, men’s singles, women’s singles and women’s doubles players.
Paulus has a huge task at hand as he has been given the task of handling national No. 1 Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong. He will also train Hoon Thien How-Tan Wee Kiong and Mohd Lufti Zaim-Tan Wee Gieen.
“I understand that the men’s doubles pairs are under a lot of pressure. I relish taking on this kind of job as it motivates me and the players.
“But first I will meet the players, get to know them a little before making any conclusions,” said Paulus, who will be at today’s training session in Bukit Kiara.
He will officially start work after the Chinese New Year.
THE STAR
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