Potential coaches: Malaysia can look at rehiring former doubles players Lim Pek Siah and Chan Chong Ming (pic, below).
PETALING JAYA: Let’s find another local coach as a successor for Tan Bin Shen.
Instead of investing lots of money on foreign coaches, who do not come cheap, the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) may look at the option of hiring a local breed to replace Bin Shen.
Bin Shen, who served the national team for five years and assisted in the success of former men’s doubles world champions Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, is leaving to join Hong Kong next year.
Malaysia can look at rehiring former doubles players Chan Chong Ming and Lim Pek Siah. Both had coached the women’s doubles department in the past under BAM.
Chong Ming had played major part in establishing Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah while Pek Siah, who formed a lethal partnership with Chin Ee Hui during their playing days, has gained good experience as a coach in Singapore. Pek Siah has joined North Harbour – a club in New Zealand this month but it’s not too late for BAM to give her a good offer for her return.
Lee Wan Wah would have been an ideal choice too but it’s learnt that he had been appointed as Japan’s doubles coach, taking over from Tan Kim Her, who had left to India.
There are also former Asian Games winners Tan Boon Heong and Koo Kien Keat – but it’s unsure how much they are interested and invested in coaching as they have been quite occupied with own businesses.
There are other former greats but Malaysia need someone who knows the current state of the game, and is able to use technology and sports science in advancing the progress of the players.
Malaysia are not short of talents, in fact, Bin Shen had proved that a local coach can produce champions. He was not a high profile coach when he took over the doubles department two years ago but all that has changed now.
And yesterday, Bin Shen thanked national coaching director Rexy Mainaky for having faith in him to lead the men’s doubles department.
“Thank you my most respected coach, coach Rexy, for all your guidance, care and unwavering support. You’ve not only shaped me into a better coach but also a better person,” said Bin Shen in his Facebook posting.
“I’m grateful to BAM for giving me the opportunity to contribute to Malaysian badminton,” added Bin Shen, who also expressed his appreciation to all the other coaches and support team.
On his stint in the national team since 2020, he said: “I want to thank all the players for incredible years full of memories.”
“You have made my heart race faster, and made me sweat while sitting behind you during competitions, but it’s all worth it and meaningful.”
With Bin Shen and his assistant Poh Chai Boon out of the coaching setup, the men’s doubles is currently handled by Indonesian Miftakh.
The other foreign coaches under Rexy are also Indonesians – Jeffer Rosobin (women’s singles), Nova Widianto (mixed doubles) and Kenneth Jonassen of Denmark, who will join in January to oversee the singles department.
