Tempestuous trail of Frost-Lee running war
KUALA LUMPUR: Morten Frost Hansen, the Badminton Association of Malaysia ( BAM) technical director, is a controversial figure in Malaysian badminton.
This can be traced way back to 20 years ago when the lanky Dane was the head coach of the national team from 1997-1999.
Then, Frost declared ‘war’ with Nusa Mahsuri Club. This time, the Dane clashed with BAM’s main asset, national champion Datuk Lee Chong Wei, 34.
Chong Wei’s problem with Frost began in 2015 when the Dane did not allow Chong Wei’s coach Tey Seu Bock to accompany him to the Japan Open.
“I needed a coach to assess my game and the opponents. After I complained, he allowed Seu Bock to accompany me to the Korea Open the following week.”
Chong Wei said he was desperate for points to qualify for Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games after suspension for doping.
The badminton champion was once again ‘played out’ by Frost who did not allow back-up players to spar with him one month before the Olympic Games.
“I do not know what is the problem with him. It is as if he wanted to sabotage me but the latest incident really made me angry. He cannot wait for me to retire. Am I disrupting his programme? What exactly is his badminton programme for the country?
“Chong Wei said those who do not know badminton will say that Frost has brought changes merely by the success in oversea tournaments.
“However, those in the know are aware that the standard of the tournaments recommended by Frost is low and that the competition is weak. If this is his
He (Frost) cannot wait for me to retire. Am I disrupting his programme? What exactly is his badminton programme for the country? Datuk Lee Chong Wei, world number one
programme, then anybody can do it. The BAM does not need to hire Frost,” he added.
Chong Wei said he had kept quiet on the advice of two coaches, Hendrawan and Seu Bock, but had to speak out as he was tired of the ‘ politics’ played by the Danish legend.
The outburst by the country’s badminton icon has put pressure on the BAM which sacked Frost as national head coach in 1999.
Frost’s appointment as BAM technical director in February 2015 was on the recommendation of Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.
BAM deputy president Datuk Seri Mohammad Norza Zakaria has appealed for both player and coach to be more professional and place BAM’s interest above all else.
“I do not want everything that has been achieved previously to go to waste because Chong Wei is an inspiration to all players, while Frost has his KPI ( Key Performance Indicator). Frost has a mission to position Malaysia in the world’s top three, as well as hunt for the country’s first Olympic gold,” he told reporters at the Jalur Gemilang handing over ceremony to the Malaysian contingent for the Asian Winter Games in Sapporo, Japan, on Wednesday.
Norza said BAM was also current ly at its peak due to the contribution from both individuals.
He said at the moment, all parties should give space to Chong Wei to “cool off” and return to normal. — Bernama