First day: Chin Eei Hui is now the coach of the independent players - from left to right Goh V Shem, Teo Ee Yi, Ong Yew Sin, Tan Wee Kiong and Chan Peng Soon.
FORMER international Chin Eei Hui was flattered with Rexy Mainaky’s offer to rejoin the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) as the mixed doubles coach.
But the independent shuttlers’ trainer does not want to get carried away as the BAM have yet to make a formal approach to secure her services.
The mixed doubles position has been vacant after Indonesian Paulus Firman did not seek an extension to his contract that ended on April 30.
Rexy, the national doubles coaching director, had been tasked with finding a replacement for Paulus but his efforts to search for a foreign coach have hit a brickwall.
“I was happy when Rexy said he wanted me back.
‘‘We did not discuss any details,” said Eei Hui at the Axiata Arena yesterday.
“But I have nothing much to say because they have not come to me officially.
“I am in charge of the independent pairs at the moment and will focus on preparing them for the Commonwealth Games and the World Championships.”
Eei Hui’s charges Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing have been selected to play in the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham (July 28-Aug 8) where they have a chance to win gold.
The BAM will have their combination of Chan Peng Soon-Cheah Yee See for the Games too.
Men’s doubles pairs Teo Ee Yi-Ong Yew Sin and Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong, as well as mixed doubles combos Kian Meng-Pei Jing and Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie, who are under Eei Hui’s care, will play in the World Championships in Tokyo from Aug 21-28.
“I hope that Kian Meng-Pei Jing can win the Commonwealth Games gold for Malaysia,” added Eei Hui.
Rexy has been speaking highly of Eei Hui’s coaching credentials while BAM high performance director Tim Jones has also spoken in favour of Eei Hui’s inclusion in the BAM’s coaching set-up.
Jones had indicated that the position of the mixed doubles coach will be finalised in a few weeks.
