Hong Kong: Wong Choong Hann, the former singles coaching director of Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM), has officially confirmed that he will be joining the Hong Kong Badminton Association as head coach for the men’s singles department. The talented coach has signed a two-year contract, extending his commitment until the 2024 Paris Olympics. Wong Choong Hann is stepping into the role left vacant by another Malaysian coach, Wong Tat Meng, and will commence his tenure next Monday.
Excitement brimmed in Wong Choong Hann as he spoke about this fresh challenge, “After resigning from my position as the singles coaching director of the ABM on June 1st, the Hong Kong badminton team approached me with an enticing offer. Despite my initial plans to take a break, I gladly accepted the invitation when it came.”
When questioned about the forthcoming challenge of leading Hong Kong’s men’s singles team, Wong Choong Hann expressed, “Every new opportunity comes with its own set of challenges. My goal is to elevate the performance of Hong Kong’s men’s singles players in the next two years.”
Preparations are underway as Wong readies to take on his new role in Hong Kong next Monday. His primary task as head coach will be guiding Hong Kong’s prominent players, World No. 13 Ng Ka Long and World No. 17 Lee Cheuk Yew, during the Korea Open from July 18th to 23rd.
The Korea Open promises to be a gripping event, with Ng Ka Long facing off against Malaysia’s top men’s singles player, Lee Zii Jia, in the opening round. Adding to the intrigue, two Malaysian coaches, Wong Tat Meng, and Wong Choong Hann, will be seated behind the players. This match is poised to be captivating as both Lee Zii Jia and Ng Ka Long’s former coaches – Wong Tat Meng and Wong Choong Hann, respectively – will be coaching their current players to compete against their former protégés.
It’s worth noting that Ng Ka Long expressed his dissatisfaction on social media when Wong Tat Meng announced his departure from the Hong Kong badminton team to coach Lee Zii Jia about a month ago.
As Wong Choong Hann takes over the reins, former Hong Kong men’s singles player Vincent Wong Wing Ki will serve as the interim coach for the Hong Kong men’s singles team. Wong Wing Ki will lend his support to Ng Ka Long and Lee Cheuk-Yew during the Canada Open, scheduled from July 4th to 9th this week. Until the new coach arrives, Wong Wing Ki will continue to assist with the training and competition of the Hong Kong men’s singles. Wong Choong Hann mentioned that Wong Wing Ki has been serving as a training partner for the team, and the next steps will depend on the arrangements made by the Hong Kong badminton team.
Regarding the contract, a two-year agreement has been reached between Hong Kong badminton team and Wong Choong Hann to safeguard their interests and mutual guarantee. The contract will conclude after the 2024 Paris Olympics.
In his illustrious playing career, Wong Choong Hann reached the final of the 2003 World Badminton Championships, securing a silver medal after a closely contested match against China’s Xia Xuanze. He also reached World No. 1 ranking on August 15, 2002. In November 2018, Wong Choong Hann assumed the role of Director of Coaching for the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) and later transitioned to the position of singles coaching director in 2022 at Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM).
Wong Choong Hann decided to embark on a new chapter by parting ways with BAM in June this year, concluding his nearly five-year tenure. Now, he looks forward to embracing fresh challenges and opportunities as he takes on the role of coach in Hong Kong.
The establishment of Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM) within the larger organization of BAM (Badminton Association of Malaysia) has raised questions about its bureaucratic and outdated approach to running an efficient organization or company. The reasons behind this decision remain uncertain. However, it is clear that such a hierarchical structure may not align with contemporary practices for optimal organizational efficiency.
The staff and coaches in ABM frequently find themselves in the position of scapegoats when things do not unfold as expected. They bear the brunt of the blame and are often swiftly removed from their positions, sometimes after only a few months into their respective positions. In contrast, those at the upper echelons of BAM’s management can maintain their positions for extended periods, sometimes spanning 10 or 20+ years. This top-heavy structure within BAM has proven to be highly ineffective and has resulted in significant failures throughout the organization.
It is our hope and all Malaysian badminton fans’ hope that the relevant stakeholders in Malaysian badminton, including BAM and other related entities, can take steps to improve the structure, management, and support systems in place. By fostering an environment that values the contributions of all individuals involved and providing them with the necessary resources and opportunities, Malaysian badminton can strive for excellence and success.
