Seven coaches in seven years – but Tan has no mixed feelings

Shuttler Tan Kian Meng gets to train under a seventh coach in his seventh year in the national team but he is fine with it.

In fact, the mixed doubles shuttler Kian Meng said training under different coaches over the years has only made him a better player.

Kian Meng and his partner Lai Pei Jing will come under the guidance of Paulus Firman next month. Indonesian Paulus will be assisted by Teo Kok Siang.

When Kian Meng was a singles player in 2013, he was trained by Hendrawan, Datuk Tey Seu Bock and Rashid Sidek. In 2015, he was moved to the mixed doubles department, and had worked under Chin Eei Hui, Pang Cheh Chang and Kok Siang.

“There were different coaches in different seasons of my life in the national team but I learnt from each one of them,” said Kian Meng.

“Everyone has their own strong point and I focused on what I could get out of them.

“I not only picked up new skills but I also learnt to think about ways to improve my game. So, I’m okay about having another new coach.”

Kian Meng said he is just as excited to get back to training on June 1. All the athletes have been training at home since the movement control order was imposed on March 14 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“I’m ready to return and get some quality training with Pei Jing. It has been a long wait,” said the 25-yearold.

“I’m not sure what the first assignment will be but I’ll wait for the coach to decide. I’m sure it will all depend on how the situation around the world is,” he added.

World No. 11 Kian Meng and Pei Jing had mixed fortunes at the start of the season before everything came to a standstill.

They reached the semi-finals of the Indonesian and Thailand Masters but lost in the first round of the All-England.

And the duo are hoping for a better run when the season resumes. On paper, the first tournament is expected to be the Taiwan Open from Sept 1-6 in Taipei.