PETALING JAYA: Top local coach Teo Kok Siang will assist national doubles coaching director Rexy Mainaky in overseeing Malaysia’s mixed doubles department.
Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) performance committee director Datuk Seri Lee Chong Wei confirmed Kok Siang’s role after the former national player was rehired by BAM.
He would report to work on Sept 1.
“Kok Siang was initially hired as Nova Widianto’s assistant in the mixed doubles department, but Nova has decided to leave,” said Chong Wei.
Nova returns to Indonesia to guide the national team.
“That has certainly affected our plans. For now, Rexy will oversee the mixed doubles department, with Kok Siang assisting him.”
Kok Siang previously spent five years with BAM from 2017 before leaving to coach professional shuttlers, helping pairs such as Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani and Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie achieve success.
Chong Wei said BAM will continue their search for a mixed doubles head coach, but the Rexy-Kok Siang partnership will remain in place for now.
"We tried to get Chin Ee Hui (Australia) and Jeremy Gan (Hong Kong) because we wanted a local coach to lead the department, but both are still tied to their contracts," he said.
"It’s not easy to find a coach of that calibre as most are contracted until after the 2028 Olympic Games."
Chong Wei also acknowledged that the mixed doubles squad has lost some depth following Toh Ee Wei’s knee surgery and rehabilitation programme in Melbourne, as well as Hoo Pang Ron’s departure.
World champions Chen Tang Jie and Ee Wei have been split up for now, with Tang Jie partnering Clarissa San, while Cheng Su Yin, formerly paired with Pang Ron, is now playing alongside Jimmy Wong.
In fact, Tang Jie-Ee Wei have officially withdrawn from the World Championships in India this month due to the latter's condition.
“We hope to rebuild the department and, hopefully, settle all the matters by the end of this year,” added Chong Wei.
