Former coach, Razif Sidek will train Mohd Zakry Abdul Latif and Mohd Fairuzizuan Mohd Tazari
Razif Sidek, the former coach of Malaysia, is all set to train the Men’s Doubles pair of Mohd Zakry Abdul Latif and Mohd Fairuzizuan Mohd Tazari. The shuttlers have recently resigned from the national squad of Malaysia and will now play independently without
any restriction from the Badminton Association of Malaysia.
The coach, Razif was working with the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) in 1996. At that time, he was the coach of Yap Kim Hock and Cheah Soon Kit, who clinched the silver medal at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. However, he left the national squad and
BAM in the same year.
He not only left BAM but also remained away from coaching professional shuttlers for a period of almost 15 years. Currently, he trains his son, Muhammad Fazriq, who is seven years old. Razif wants Fazriq to become a world-class player and continue the Sidek
legacy of serving Malaysia at international level.
Mohd Tazari and Mohd Zakry have got a sponsorship from KLRC and want to get training from Razif. The coach is expected to join the club which has 16 professional shuttlers associated with all categories of the game.
While talking about his prospects of joining KLRC, Razif said, “If there is a possibility, why not? I've done this (coaching) before and would like to contribute back to the sport. I'm here to help Fairuzizuan and Zakry. I could play an advisory role or
follow the players for tournaments... it all depends on what KLRC and the players want.”
KLRC owner and director, Andrew Kam, also expressed the possibility of Razif joining the KLRC and said, “There's always room for discussion. Razif was a formidable player himself. We are very open with our approach. At the end of the day, it is about developing
the sport we love.”
If Razif joins KLRC, he is expected to train another elite pair of Tan Bin Shen and Gan Teik Chai, the independent shuttlers who are ranked at Number 25 in the Men’s Doubles world standings. The pair is also working hard to get the desired ranking points
for qualifying in the 2012 Olympic Games.
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