Break from BAM proves a silver lining for Eei Hui as she sets out on new tasks

Back together again: Chin Eei hui (back) is happy that she gets to work with mixed doubles pair Chan Peng Soon (right) and Goh Liu Ying again.

PETALING JAYA: Chin Eei Hui has taken on a bigger and bolder challenge as a badminton coach this New Year.

Eei Hui, whose contract with the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) ended yesterday, has been reunited with mixed doubles pair Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying as their coach.

And her task is to take the independent shuttlers one step better at the Tokyo Olympic Games in August.

She was their coach when Peng Soon-Liu Ying won a historic silver medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics when all of them were under the BA of Malaysia.

And that’s not all, she will also be coaching independent doubles pairs Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi and Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong.

It’ll be the first time that she will be coaching men’s doubles players.

She has signed a one-year contract with Li-Ning on Monday and her work officially begins today.

The 38-year-old Eei Hui, who was named the 2016 coach of the year, is thrilled to start the year as a coach with a new goal outside of the BAM set-up for the first time.

“A few approached me when I left the BAM last month but I’ve decided to take up an offer with Li-Ning and remain in Malaysia to coach the independent players for a year, ” said Eei Hui, who has been with the national body since her junior days.

“It’s great to reunite with Peng Soon-Liu Ying. It’s like I’ve been given a second chance with them.

“They have a good opportunity to qualify for the Olympics. Once they have assured their tickets, we’ll prepare them to peak at the Olympics. After winning the silver, naturally, we will go for the gold in Tokyo.”

Eei Hui knows it will be a huge test to coach the men’s doubles but she is ready to prove herself.

Previously, she had only groomed the women’s and mixed doubles.

“I’ve a lot of homework to do. I need to analyse our players’ opponents and see how best I can help the men’s doubles, ” said Eei Hui, who took up coaching after retiring as a player in 2013.

“I welcome this opportunity to do something different. Ee Yi and Yew Sin are younger and have the potential while V Shem-Wee Kiong are very experienced. Both pairs have a slim chance to qualify for the Olympics but we’ll not give up until the closing date ends.”

Eei Hui however, will not get to accompany Peng Soon-Liu Ying, Ee Yi-Yew Sin and V Shem-Wee Kiong to the Thailand Opens from Jan 12-17 and Jan 19-23 in Bangkok.

“Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the process to go to Thailand is tedious. As I’ve only joined today, it’s a bit late to apply and get the relevant documentations ready. I will focus on their preparation for the next two weeks, ” added Eei Hui.

Eei Hui is one of the three coaches whose contracts were not extended by BAM last month. The others are Eei Hui’s former doubles partner Wong Pei Tty and Rosman Razak.