New Malaysian women’s doubles coach Lee Meng Yean revealed Rexy Mainaky played a key role behind her recent appointment.
She had tendered her resignation as a shuttler to the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) in December last year, expecting her stint with the national body to reach its conclusion.
Rexy, who started work last year as the national coaching director heading the doubles unit, wanted to change Lee’s mind about quitting the team.
“Rexy didn’t want me to quit, but I told him I wanted to leave as I had given enough and he respected my decision. But he reached out to me again recently and told me he wanted me to be his assistant in the coaching department.
“He feels that I have the talent to be a coach and furthermore, there isn’t a women’s coach in the women’s doubles unit. So if the shuttlers have any issues, be it a health or a personal one, they can reach out to me,” Lee told Stadium Astro on her first day of duty.
The Malacca-born was seen at ease in her new role, doing drills with her charges under the watchful eye of Rexy and Hoon Thien How, the other women’s doubles coach.
Lee’s career as a shuttler did not go to plan after her long-term partner Chow Mei Kuan retired at the end of the Tokyo Olympics last year.
The 27-year-old was then left struggling for chemistry as she paired Yap Cheng Wen for several tournaments without any success.
Despite still being ranked at 11th in the world with Chow, Lee said she was ready to move on and help her former team-mates achieve bigger success than she did.
“I couldn’t be an Olympic champion as a player, but now I hope I can help my ex-teammates do it. Instead of going to court to fight, I will now be behind fighting for them.
“I think the women’s doubles have improved a lot. They are consistent, hardworking and mentally strong. Of course there is still a long way more for them and I hope to help them,” she added.
