PETALING JAYA: Former national mixed doubles shuttler Tan Kian Meng has dismissed speculation linking him with the Badminton Association of Malaysia's (BAM) search for a new mixed doubles head coach despite being spotted at the Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM) in Bukit Kiara on Tuesday (Aug 4).
However, Kian Meng said his visit had nothing to do with BAM's coaching search, explaining that he was accompanying the England squad, who are preparing for several tournaments in Southeast Asia before the World Championships in New Delhi from Aug 17-23.
"It has nothing to do with BAM's search for a new coach. I still have a contract with England until 2028," said Kian Meng.
Kian Meng is currently England's lead men's doubles coach, having officially taken up the role in January.
Before that, he spent three months with the English team last year as a guest coach.
BAM are currently searching for a replacement for Nova Widianto after the Indonesian left the national set-up on July 31.
The association has since appointed Teo Kok Siang, the former coach of independent men's doubles pair Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani, as an assistant coach.
