The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) have restructured their coaching set-up ahead of the projected return of the national shuttlers next month, with Flandy Limpele and Chan Chong Ming leading the men’s and women’s doubles departments.
The national body also changed Tey Seu Bock’s role as assistant to men’s singles chief Hendrawan.
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Both men worked together in the past and helped Lee Chong Wei to silver at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Prior to this, Tey was leading the women’s singles department, which is now taken on by Hendrawan’s former assistant Indra Widjaja.
Chan, a former top national doubles player with Chew Choon Eng, will replace Rosman Razak in the women’s doubles, and be assisted by Chin Ee Hui and Wong Pei Tty.
The recruitment of Flandy is seen as the most radical change, with the men’s doubles department expected to contend for titles at the highest level once badminton resumes.
As a player, the Indonesian earned a bronze medal at the Olympic Games (2004) and World Championships (2007).
Flandy solidified his coaching credentials with the Indian national team, moulding Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty into a top 10 pair, and helped Ashwini Ponnappa and N. Skikki Reddy form a formidable combination last year.
The 46-year-old resigned from his role with the Indian national team in March, citing family reasons.
Paulus Firman, who previously headed the men’s doubles team, will move to the mixed doubles department to work with Teo Kok Siang.
“We are hoping for these two new coaches to start by June 15, but these plans are subject to the Conditional Movement Control Order ruling of permitted training.
“In the case of Flandy, his arrival to Malaysia shall also be subjected to the government’s regulations to allow foreigners to enter Malaysia.
“It is my hope these changes will further rejuvenate the national team and motivate the players to prepare for the Thomas & Uber Cup and the Tokyo Olympics which are the two indispensable milestones,” said BAM president Norza Zakaria.
BAM New Coaching Set-Up
Coaching Director: Wong Choon Hann
Men’s Singles: Hendrawan (head coach), Datuk Tey Seu Bock
Men’s Doubles: Flandy Limpele (head coach), Rosman Razak, Hoon Thien How
Women’s Singles: Indra Widjaja (head coach), Loh Wei Sheng
Women’s Doubles: Chan Chong Ming, Chin Eei Hui, Wong Pei Tty
Mixed Doubles: Paulus Firman (head coach), Teo Kok Siang
