Soon Kit ready to restore Malaysian badminton to former glory

National no.1 doubles pair Goh V Shem (left) and Tan Wee Kiong.

KUALA LUMPUR: It pained Cheah Soon Kit to see Malaysia’s drastic decline in men’s doubles.

So when the chance came to help restore Malaysia’s image in world badminton, the former Olympic silver medallist did not hesitate in saying “aye”.

On Wednesday, the 47-year-old was named men’s doubles coach by the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM).

“As an outsider, I was concerned over the struggles by our doubles players. I’m back now and I hope I can do something to help,” said Soon Kit on Saturday.

Soon Kit was one of the top doubles stars in the world in his heyday. He won the Olympic silver with Yap Kim Hock in Atlanta 1996.

Before combining with Kim Hock, Soon Kit’s sidekick was Soo Beng Kiang and they won numerous international titles, including the 1992 and 1994 World Cup.

“I have worked in different capacities with different clubs and organisations over the last seven years. I’m more knowledgeable and mature now,” said Soon Kit.

He will manage the doubles players with five other coaches – Jeremy Gan, Pang Cheh Chang, Wong Pei Tty, Lim Pek Siah and Chin Eei Hui.

Soon Kit is glad to be working with familiar faces.

“It’s great to see some of the players that I groomed before are coaches now. It will be good to work alongside them,” said Soon Kit, who was the BAM’s women doubles coach from 2001-2007.

Under Soon Kit’s tenure, Pei Tty-Eei Hui bagged the SEA Games gold in Manila in 2005 to end a 30-year title drought. Pei Tty-Eei Hui also won the gold at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.

The duo were also the first Malaysian pair to break the Chinese barrier, beating world No. 1 Zhang Yawen-Wei Yili in the first round of the Denmark Open in 2007.

When asked whether he could spark a revival in Malaysia’s fortunes, Soon Kit said: “It’s not a one-man show. It’s a collective effort. Everyone has to play their part.”

Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong are now Malaysia’s No. 1, but the world No. 14 are quite inconsistent and without any major titles to show.

“I see the potential in V Shem-Wee Kiong but they are struggling for breakthroughs. It’s too early to say what has gone wrong ... I will meet up with Morten (Frost, the BAM technical director) and others to discuss the plans.”

Soon Kit was known for his no-nonsense attitude as a player and then as a coach. So, if there is one thing that he will not compromise when he starts work soon is indiscipline.

“During our time as players in the 1990s, it was discipline that made us who we were. That will be the key – emphasising discipline in the national team,” added Soon Kit, who was a member of the nine-man team that won the 1992 Thomas Cup.