[size=-1]The Star Online > Sports[/size] Wednesday June 1, 2005 [size=+2]A better set-up for shuttlers[/size] By LIM TEIK HUAT KUALA LUMPUR: A better support system on the sidelines is in store for the badminton players in the national training centre soon. A full-time physiotherapist from the National Sports Institute (NSI) will be made available at all times whenever the players are in training. National chief coach Yap Kim Hock said that previously, the physiotherapist, who doubles up as a masseur, was only available when the team prepared for major tournaments. “It will benefit the players as they can get immediate attention if something happens. Sometimes a minor muscle strain can lead to a bigger injury if they do not know how to take care of themselves,” he said. The quality of food at the hostel in Bukit Kiara will also be improved. “A nutritionist (from NSI) will be recommending certain food to be served to the players at the hostel soon. We can expect less oily food,” said Kim Hock. Yesterday, the coaching and training committee also endorsed Indonesian Rexy Mainaky as the new high performance coach for the doubles players. The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) president, Datuk Nadzmi Salleh, said that although Rexy's contract with the Badminton Association of England (BAE) expires on July 25, they were looking at getting him here by July 1. “Rexy will be given a two-year contract with BAM,” said Nadzmi. “He is talented and easy to relate to our players. His good track record with England was also a reason for us offering him a job with us.” Nadzmi added that the presence of the former world and Olympic champion could help motivate the players to take their game to a higher level. “If he has no chance of making it big here, I don't think he will agree to take up the job,” he said. On Rexy's job functions, Nadzmi said that he would leave it to Kim Hock to decide. “We will wait for him to come here first and then we will discuss his responsibilities,” he said. Rexy will be the second foreign coach hired by the BAM to take charge of the national players. China's Li Mao started work in January as a high-performance coach for the singles players together with Misbun Sidek.
