PETALING JAYA: Independent coach Rosman Razak, in his mission to help his players qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics, will not be alone in his task.
Teo Kok Siang, who resigned as the national mixed doubles coach on Dec 31, has joined forces with Rosman to guide a total of 11 pairs who ply their trade as independent pairs.
Rosman had taken up the heavy burden from outgoing coach Chin Eei Hui but welcomed the arrival of Kok Siang to help the pairs realise their Olympic dreams.
Kok Siang served as the caretaker mixed doubles coach after Indonesian Paulus Firman did not seek an extension to his contract that ended at the end of April last year.
The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) had appointed another Indonesian Nova Widianto as the replacement who started his duties last Friday.
Rosman said he will work together with Kok Siang to ensure the independent pairs are adequately prepared for the Olympic qualification period that runs from May 1 to April 28 next year.
“We have about 22 players (11 pairs) who will be competing on the World Tour and it is a heavy responsibility. Kok Siang coming on board is timely,” said Rosman.
“I have to make it clear that Kok Siang is not my assistant. We will coach the players together and will do everything possible to help the pairs to do well during the qualifying period.
“We will continue with the existing programme as for now but will make some changes after the Thailand Masters (Jan 31-Feb 5).
“It will not be an easy task because we are not just trying to help the indie pairs qualify but also prepare them to be in a medal-winning position at the 2024 Paris Olympics.”
Among the pairs – men’s doubles world No. 7 Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi and mixed doubles world No. 6 Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing and world No. 7 Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie have a fighting chance of making it to Paris 2024.
Rosman added that mixed doubles pair Chan Peng Soon-Cheah Yee See (No. 35) and women’s doubles Vivian Hoo-Lim Chiew Sien (World No. 15) are also determined to fight for their Olympic slots.
The other pairs who will also join the race are men’s doubles Goh V Shem-Lim Khim Wah (No. 40), Tan Wee Kiong-Kian Meng, Nur Azryn Ayub-Low Juan Shen, Low Hang Yee-Ng Eng Cheong.
