KUALA LUMPUR – Akademi Badminton Malaysia has roped in the former coach of men’s doubles world number ones Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty.
Muhammad Miftakh was the assistant to India’s men’s doubles coach Mathias Boe, who entrusted the Indonesian to run the training programme for the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games champions.
In a video released on the Badminton Association of Malaysia’s social media today, Miftakh said he had contacted national coaching director Rexy Mainaky to join Malaysia’s coaching roster.
Inside ABM | Welcome WD coach Miftakh 👋#DemiMalaysia#BadmintonMalaysia pic.twitter.com/vl71FSw3wU
— BAM (@BA_Malaysia) February 2, 2024
“I think Rexy chose me because I have over 10 years of experience with India’s national team.
“Being in charge of Rankireddy-Shetty I think is one of the reasons Rexy wants me here,” said Miftakh.
Miftakh, who started training yesterday, will assist women’s doubles coach Hoon Thien How in shaping them into world beaters.
“The environment here so far is good, I see the players have good commitment and want to improve.
“Everything has been good for these few days that I have been working with Thien How. We have been able to communicate very well with each other,” he added.
Miftakh is the latest Indonesian coach to join the academy after the appointment of head of juniors Jeffer Rosobin in October of last year.
In the latest world rankings, the country’s top women’s pair Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah have dropped one place to 14th, while national number one men’s doubles pair Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik have dropped one spot to fifth place. – February 2, 2024