Badminton: Apology accepted, Misbun will take time to ponder offer

PETALING JAYA: Datuk Misbun Sidek is a relieved man after accepting an apology from Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) president Tan Sri Norza Zakaria following his controversial dismissal as junior development director last week.

However, Misbun has not decided whether to accept or reject Norza’s offer to return and coach the juniors according to the original contract until the end of the year.

Misbun’s personal assistant Nor Kamal Ahmad said the 63-year-old coach has yet to receive an official letter from BAM.

“Misbun has accepted Norza’s apology,” said Kamal.

“Norza has said it (the dismissal) was due to miscommunication. “Misbun is relieved that he has personally apologised as he shares a good relationship with Norza. But Misbun has not received an official letter from BAM yet (to return).”

Kamal said Misbun would make a decision whether to return or not after he receives the letter and is satisfied with the terms and conditions.

Misbun had been slighted with the manner of his dismissal after his contract which was supposed to run until the end of the year was prematurely terminated following the failure of the junior squad to win any medals in the Asian Junior Championships last month in Yogyakarta.

He had aired his grievances to the media in a press conference on Monday.

On Wednesday, BAM led by Norza have since performed a U-turn by expressing regret at the entire affair two days later and offered Misbun a way back into the national set-up to take up his old position until the end of his contract.

Norza also made a public apology to Misbun and overruled the decision of the BAM special task force and offered Misbun the option to see out the rest of his contract with the national body.

BAM need to be quick to have Misbun back for the World Junior Championships from Sept 25-Oct 8 in the United States.