Choong Hann on his first day on the job back in Novermber 2018.
PETALING JAYA: When former great Wong Choong Hann took up the job as the national badminton supremo, he knew the job would never be easy.
And just over four and a half years as national coaching director, he has called it quits.
After achieving several milestones and surviving all kind of challenges, Choong Hann finally confirmed the dreaded news yesterday – he has resigned from Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM).
The 46-year-old, who submitted his letter last week, said he would always be grateful to BAM for the chance given to him to change the fortunes of Malaysian badminton.
“I knew there would be pressure from the first day. Maybe, I could have done better, maybe I didn’t meet the expectations. But I’m finally leaving now,” said Choong Hann.
“I know, I had the timeline to grow the next generation of players, and I know I gave it my best. One usually knows when to leave and I know it’s the right time. I have informed all my team’s coaches and players.”
Choong Hann was appointed to the position in November 2018 when the national body was at one of its lowest ebbs.
In the absence of Lee Chong Wei, who had ruled for decades, Choong Hann’s role was to find new talent and add depth in the singles department and improve the standard of the doubles players, who had to constantly face changes in partners.
At that time, Lee Zii Jia was ranked 40th in the world while Ng Tze Yong was not even in national senior set-up. Doubles shuttlers Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik were trying to catch up to Tan Wee Kiong-Goh V Shem.
Zii Jia was world No 2 at one point, Tze Yong is now at No 26, Aaron-Wooi Yik won the bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics in 2022; and Malaysia have since won a bronze at the Sudirman Cup in Finland.
During Choon Hann’s tenure, Zii Jia and Goh Jin Wei left BAM to become independent players.
“It was quite chaotic when I got in. My team and I had to put the team in order,” said Choong Hann, who brought in a few new coaches to strengthen the coaching and training sector.
Unfortunately, his work was hampered when the Covid-19 pandemic hit, and lost precious time between 2020 and 2021.
Despite that, he pulled resources together and badminton became the first sport to run their training under the bubble system.
“There were some good times that I will treasure but there were challenges too. No one is perfect, and I guess, it’s the same for me too.”
On his future plans, Choong Hann said he just wants a breather.
“There are many opportunities out there. I will take a break before looking at them,” he said.
“I’m grateful to BAM for the opportunity to lead the Malaysian badminton for almost five years. I’ve learnt so much but I know my time is up. I wish the team all the best.”
Last year, Choong Hann’s role was reduced just to manning the singles department after BAM hired Rexy Mainaky, who is now in charge of the junior and senior doubles department. Datuk Misbun Sidek handles the junior singles.
Hendrawan is now likely to take charge of the elite singles department, supported by Datuk Tey Seu Bock and James Chua.
Last month, BAM chief operating office Michelle Chai tendered her resignation while BAM ended the services of high performance director Dr Tim Jones.
Before that, a few junior coaches left, namely Mohd Hafiz Hashim, Kwan Yoke Meng and Vountus Indra Mawan.
Last year, women’s singles coach Indra Wijaya of Indonesia also left the set-up.
The others who left before him were Flandi Limpele, Paulus Firman and Chan Chong Ming.
Choong Hann on his first day on the job back in Novermber 2018.
Memories: Wong Choong Hann speaking to Aidil Sholeh Ali Sadikin during the Malaysian Masters at the Axiata Arena last month.
