KUALA LUMPUR: Japan senior men’s doubles coach Lee Wan Wah was among the shortlisted candidates, but Chang Kim Wai’s China experience eventually got him the BAM job.
Kim Wai will officially start work on Monday (Nov 3) as the national men’s doubles assistant coach.
National coaching director Rexy Mainaky revealed that apart from Wan Wah, former international Zakry Latif was also on the list, while national coach Herry IP had spoken to coach Ameer Zainuddin.
Rexy said Kim Wai’s experience in China‘s Guangxi province, where he served as the doubles head coach, was an important factor in handing him the position.
Initially, the Ipoh-born former international was not part of their search.
“I had mentioned Wan Wah in our intial talks but he is well established now in Japan while Zakry was also considered and Herry had spoken to Ameer. Kim Wai wasn’t considered initially,” explained Rexy today.
“I decided to contact him late and knowing that he is back from China, I proposed his name. At the last minute, Herry confirmed he wanted Kim Wai.
“He already had the experience working with the national team before, and Herry felt that Kim Wai can focus more on pairs outside the elite group.
“All this while, we’ve wondered how China do things their way and we can take something from that. From an informal chat with an old friend (Kim Wai), I can see the value he brings.
“Once he is here, he’ll be able to share even more, and that’s what we are hoping for.”
Rexy said the men’s doubles department, with 11 pairs and a few more likely to be added from the junior squad soon, is the largest at the BAM, and it needs more coaches to assist Herry, who has been managing with the help of Muhammad Miftakh.
“The men’s doubles squad has the most players and Herry requested for another coach as we have to look at future potentials who can support the seniors like Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik and Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun,” added Rexy.
“Having worked with the academy in China, Kim Wai is able to share his exprience as he will be handling our back-up pairs.
“Since May, Herry or Miftakh have constantly travelled for tournaments with the players and we also need someone to provide the quality training for the other pairs back home.”
Besides rehiring Kim Wai, who coached at BAM from 2004 to 2017, Rexy is also on the lookout for women’s doubles and mixed doubles coaches, as both departments have also started expanding.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
