Newly appointed HK coach relishes tough task to take two to the Paris Olympics

Ready for the challenge: Wong Choong Hann says he is now well equipped to help Hong Kong’s No. 2 Lee Cheuk Yiu (below) qualify for the Paris Olympics.

PETALING JAYA: Like a true professional, Wong Choong Hann will be out to prove himself as the new singles coach of Hong Kong.

And the immediate task is to guide two players into the Paris Olympic Games next year.

World No. 13 Angus Ng Ka Long is on track to qualify for the Olympics while their No. 2 Lee Cheuk Yiu, who is lying at the 17th spot, also has the potential. A country can have two singles players if both of them are ranked in the top 16.

The 46-year-old Choong Hann is relishing the tricky challenge as he knows that the competition will get tougher in the men’s singles as the one-year qualifying period progresses.

“It’s the Olympics qualifying season and naturally, Hong Kong want me to help them have two representatives in the Paris Games. Angus has a good chance but I will do my best to get another player in,” said Choong Hann.

The former national No. 1 singles player has been offered to coach Hong Kong until the Paris Games and will start work next week after his working visa process is completed.

Choong Hann had tendered his resignation with the Badminton Association of Malaysia last month after starting his duty as the national coaching director on November 2018 and before serving as the singles supremo last year.

Hong Kong quickly snapped up Choong Hann as they had just lost their new signing Wong Tat Meng, who had switched his allegiance to coaching independent shuttler Lee Zia Jia.

Choong Hann was grateful for the opportunity to serve Hong Kong.

“I’m truly a kampung boy, having played and coached only in Malaysia. Hong Kong will be my first stint outside of the country and naturally, I’m looking forward,” he said.

“My family will stay behind as my kids are big now, they will be all right.

“I would not have considered any offer outside of Malaysia if not for the valuable experience that I’ve gained by coaching our national team.

“I’m now more confident to lead others.”

Asked whether he has a point to prove to anyone, Choong Hann said: “It’s professional job and my duty is to deliver and justify the trust of my employer.

He also does not see the job as a competition with Tat Meng.

“I congratulated Tat Meng when he took up the job as Zii Jia’s coach. And weeks later, I’ve taken his post in Hong Kong. We just have to clap our hands and move on to do our duties the best we can. That’s how it is,” he said.

Ironically, both Choong Hann and Tat Meng will sit at the opposite sides when Ka Long faces Zii Jia in the opening round of the Korean Open from July 18-23 in Yeosu.