Longing for father’s touch: Misbun Ramdan Misbun (left) hopes to qualify for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janerio under Misbun Sidek’s guidance.

KELANA JAYA: Reigning national men’s singles champion Misbun Ramdan Misbun has done the “easy” part – quitting the national badminton team.

Now, however, comes the “hard” part – convincing his father Misbun Sidek to coach him into a world-beater.

“I’ll go fishing with him if I have to ... although I don’t really fancy it, so that I can talk to him to give me a chance. I’ll even use my mother to persuade him. All I want right now is for my father to coach me,” said Ramdan, who left the national set-up on Monday.

Ramdan has been training under his uncle Rahman Sidek at the Kelana Jaya Stadium, which is the training centre for professional club Nusa Mahsuri.

Ramdan, who will turn 22 in March, clarified yesterday that “no one has brainwashed me into leaving the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) set up”.

Two years ago, Misbun resigned as the national coach citing disappointment over some officials in BAM.

“It’s my decision. I’ve been thinking about it for a while. In fact, I wanted to follow my father when he left the national team (in January, 2011) but he wanted me to stay put and be independent. He didn’t want me to be too dependent on him,” said Ramdan.

“So I stayed back and trained diligently under Hendrawan and I am grateful to him. Hendrawan understands and supports me.

“Over the last two years, I was able to assess the situation myself. Winning the Pahang Open and the national title last year have given me the confidence to make this decision. I defeated Liew Daren, Chong Wei Feng and Zulfadli Zulkifli for the first time.

“My father has never interfered with my coaching programme under Hendrawan. In fact, I’ve not trained under him (Misbun) for the last two years although we stay under the same roof. He only advises me when I ask for some tips.

“Most of the time he is away, fishing somewhere ... you know my father,” he said, flashing a cheeky smile.

Ramdan now hopes to qualify for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janerio under Misbun’s guidance.

“Players like Mohd Hafiz Hashim, Roslin Hashim and Lee Chong Wei achieved great results when they trained under my father,” said Ramdan.

“I’m jealous. I want my own father to guide me to similar success too. I am, after all, his own flesh and blood!

“I’ve left BAM despite their good facilities, comprehensive training and good allowances ... but I know what I’m looking for right now.

“I just want my father’s touch to go further in my badminton career.”

Ramdan, the third of Misbun’s six children, said he’s also willing to adhere to his father’s no-nonsense approach on court.

“I started taking badminton seriously when I was 13. Then, I used to train under my father from 5.30am to noon sometimes. I’d usually fall sick a day later. I dreaded going for training.

“But everything has changed now. I’m ready to take whatever my father has up his sleeve.”

As for his next assignment – the Malaysian Open (at Putra Stadium from Jan 16-20) – world No. 87 Ramdan said: “I am looking forward to this tournament ... I know where I stand against the more experienced players. I’ll give my best.”

He faces China’s Chen Yuekun in the first round of the qualifying tournament on Tuesday. If he wins, he will take on the winner of the match between Gao Huan of China and Singapore’s Ashton Chen Yong Zhao for a place in the main draw.

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