Badminton gets ‘priority’ coach

THE PHILIPPINE Badminton Association has no illusions of achieving overnight success under Indonesian coach Rexy Mainaky, a former Olympic gold medalist.

But officials of the badminton body believe it has found the right person to lead the country in its difficult climb to global recognition in a sport dominated by some of its Southeast Asian neighbors.

“He (Mainaky) will help us realize our dream,” said Vice President Jejomar Binay, who is also the PBA president, yesterday at the PSA Forum at the Shakey’s U.N. Avenue in Manila . “To get him was priority number one. He’s our most expensive coach.”

The PBA did not say how much Mainaky will be receiving, but reports are rife that he could get up to $12,000 (roughly P500,000), to be shouldered by Bingo Bonanza, Sun Cellular, Victor/PCome and the PSC.

Negros Occidental Rep. Albee Benitez, who serves as PBA secretary-general, justified Mainaky’s price tag, saying the Indonesian is a tested and proven coach at international level.

Mainaky has coached in England and Malaysia and turned down an offer to mentor in Russia, before taking the Philippine job.

Mainaky, winner of the doubles gold in Atlanta, is hoping he could build a team that will eventually qualify for the 2016 Olympics.

“That is my plan,” said the 44-year-old. With a report from Jan Ballesteros, Contributor