Former shuttler Munna leads Malaysian club as head coach

Once regarded as one of Bangladesh’s Young promising badminton players, Moynul Islam Munna began his journey in the sport in 2007. For years, he was a regular face at the national level, but unfortunate circumstances brought his playing career to a premature halt. Yet Munna did not stop there. While his path as a player was cut short, he went on to build an impressive career as an international badminton coach.

In 2009, Munna took part in a special training camp in Malaysia with the Bangladesh junior national team. Based on his performance, he finished among the top three players in the camp ranking. From 2009 to 2014, he continued to compete regularly at the national level. However, a controversial incident during the 2014 National Tournament in Sylhet effectively ended his national team career.

Recalling the episode, Munna said,
“The national tournament was held in Sylhet in 2014. Even though my name was on the fixture and all my documents were in order, I was not allowed to play. At that time, I was playing for a club called ‘Knit Concern Badminton Club’. The officials said I shouldn’t play for a club and must represent my district. The district assured me I would be allowed, but despite my name being on the fixture, I was still not permitted to play.”

Following the uncertainty and disappointment surrounding his national career, Munna gradually stepped away from professional competition and shifted his focus toward coaching. In 2015, through Nit Concern Club manager Wahidul Jaman Raju, he received an opportunity to attend a one-month trial at Malaysia’s ‘New Vision Badminton Academy’. Impressed by his skills and knowledge, the academy offered him a coaching position at the end of the trial.

Munna coached in Malaysia from 2015 to 2020 before returning to Bangladesh due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He later worked as head coach at an academy in India and subsequently served as head coach of the Mauritius national badminton team for nearly two and a half years. In July 2024, he returned to Malaysia and rejoined his former academy.

Currently, Moynul Islam Munna is working as the Head Coach of the ‘New Vision Badminton Club’ in Malaysia. He is now in Dhaka for the ongoing The Yonex-Sunrise Bangladesh International Challenge, carrying a special identity. Alongside the Malaysian national team, he has brought 16 players from his club—11 men and 5 women—to compete in the tournament.

Expressing his emotions about returning to Bangladesh with his players, Munna said,
“This is a very emotional moment for me. I played in Bangladesh, and now I’m back on Bangladeshi soil at an international tournament, watching my own players compete as their coach. It’s hard to put this feeling into words.”

Highlighting the differences between badminton in Bangladesh and Malaysia, he explained,
“Bangladeshi players have talent, but they lack consistent training. In Malaysia, there is 12 months of structured training, good courts, quality shuttles, and proper programs. That consistency makes the difference. To perform well, you need year-round training.”

Despite the challenges, Munna remains optimistic about the future of Bangladeshi badminton.
“Bangladeshi players have natural talent. The main problem is that we fail to provide an environment that can bring out that talent. With proper planning and long-term investment, Bangladesh badminton can go a long way,” he said.

Munna also expressed his willingness to work for his home country if given the opportunity.
“If I receive a good offer from Bangladesh, I would definitely work here. Very few people don’t want to contribute to their own country,” he added.

From a talented shuttler whose playing career ended too soon to a respected coach on the international stage, Moynul Islam Munna’s journey stands as a powerful example of resilience, dedication, and unwavering love for the sport.