CREATING A BAM WORKING ECOSYSTEM
Choong Hann meets coaches and management staff
BA of Malaysi a's (BAM) newly-appointed coaching director Wong Choong Hann wants to create a working ecosystem that is in line with the national agenda.
Choong Hann, who will officially start on Jan 1, wasted no time in getting his feet wet when he met a couple of BAM's top management staff as well as coaches at the Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM) in Bukit Kiara yesterday.
The former international admitted it is still early to discuss policy but wanted to get a feel of the environment before implementing any new changes.
"To be honest, I think it is still too early to talk about policy and other important matters as I am only expected to start in January.
"However, I decided to come by to meet some of the coaches casually. I also met Datuk Ng Chin Chai (BAM honorary secretary, and coaching and training committee chairman) and Michelle Chai (BAM general manager) to discuss administrative matters," said Choong Hann, who left the national body as a player in 2008 after the Beijing Olympics.
The 41-year-old former World Championships (2003) silver medallist — who has a private academy, Pioneer Badminton Academy — will now overlook the training programme of five head coaches — Misbun Sidek (men's singles), Paulus Firman (men's doubles), Tey Seu Bock (women's singles), Rosman Razak (women's doubles) and Pang Cheh Chang (mixed doubles).
On his early impression of the national squad, Choong Hann, added: "Just based on some of the results in the past couple of months, I think focus will be on the men's singles and doubles departments.
"There are a number of young players with talent who have done reasonably well, so we need to look at ways to improve on that.
"In women's singles, Goh Jin Wei has done well for herself too, while the mixed doubles department is not too bad.
"In any case, the women's doubles will need some attention, especially after Woon Khe Wei picked up a long-term injury. I still have time before I start work officially, so I will come by every now and then just to get a feel of the environment."
Despite leaving the national body 10 years ago, Choong Hann is no stranger to the national badminton scene, as earlier this year, he was invited to be part of the Coaching Education Panel (CEP) along with Rashid Sidek.
Rashid, had earlier expressed his view on Choong Hann's appointment, saying it was not solely the latter's responsibility to help Malaysia win the elusive Olympic gold at the 2020 Tokyo Games.
When asked to comment, Choong Hann said: "I guess it's true. We all need to work together and that is why I do not want to waste any time.
“This is a full time job and from now until January, I have some time to sort out my private businesses as I will have to give my full attention here.
"Rashid is right, it's all about team work. Whether you're in management, or coaching or even a player, we need to have that common mindset. We need to be on the same page when we talk about national agenda."
Before appointing Choong Hann, Dane Morten Frost held the technical director post for two years from 2015-2017.