PUTRAJAYA, Oct 9 — The future of Datuk Rashid Sidek’s status as national para badminton coach is still a big question mark.

Rashid, whose contract expires at the end of the year, said he had yet to discuss a possible extension of his contract with the National Sports Council (NSC).

“Maybe I will hold talks with NSC next month regarding the status of my contract as a para coach,” he said when met by reporters at the launch of the 2021 National Sports Day here today.

The 1996 Atlanta Olympics men’s singles bronze medallist, who became the national para coach in 2019, said he is more than willing to continue if his services are still required by NSC.

The 53-year-old coach also hopes to find and groom a back-up to Paralympics champion Cheah Liek Hou to carry the nation’s challenge in major para badminton championships at the world level.

Liek Hou, ranked world No. 2, defeated Dheva Anrimusthi of Indonesia 21-17, 21-15 in the SU5 category (upper body impairment) final at the 2020 Paralympics in Tokyo.

Rashid said he is preparing Liek Hou for major championships like the 2022 Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, China and next year’s world championship.

Meanwhile, Liek Hou, 33, said he is counting on NSC to extend Rashid’s contract until the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games in France.

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