KUALA LUMPUR: Former national shuttler Koo Kien Keat has been left disappointed after missing out on a coaching role in the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM).
Kien Keat said BAM did offer him a position as assistant coach last year but he was unhappy with the role as he was eyeing the men’s doubles head coach position.
The national body though had already agreed to appoint Indonesian Herry Iman Pierngadi.
“BAM offered me a coaching role but I was not happy with the position,” said Kien Keat.
“Honestly, I was hoping for a better offer but it did not materialize. This is up to BAM, so I have to accept this.
“I didn’t get the opportunity though with BAM. It’s normal to think foreigners are better than locals.
“For me, a good coach is someone who is able to adopt a hands-off approach with players.
“As a player, I loved to show my skills on court and I would have liked to take a practical approach with players as a coach and show them how to perform certain skills.”
While his dream of becoming a coach in BAM seems over, Kien Keat’s experience could still prove invaluable as he is currently lending his expertise to the independent doubles team which include world No. 7 Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani.
The 40-year-old has been helping Sze Fei-Izzuddin and the other professional pairs for two weeks ahead of the Malaysian Open which starts today at Axiata Arena, Bukit Jalil.
On whether he will be interested in a permanent coaching role, Kien Keat replied: “No, I don’t have the heart to become a coach anymore.
“I have other commitments this year. I can’t be committed to a full-time coaching role anymore.
“Sze Fei-Izzuddin asked my help and I’m just assisting them for two weeks.”
Kien Keat triumphed in the home Open in 2007 and 2010 with Tan Boon Heong and his input could propel Sze Fei-Izzuddin to the title.
The former world No. 1 though believes that defending champions Seo Seung-jae-Kim Won-ho’s hot form last year means it will be tough for a Malaysian pair to end the long wait for a home winner.
Seung-jae-Won-ho captured a whopping 11 titles together last year including the World Championships.
2014 champions Goh V Shem-Lim Khim Wah were the last homesters to be crowned champions in the men’s doubles.
“Honestly, there’s a chance for a Malaysian pair to reach the final but winning the title will be difficult,” said Kien Keat.
“The Koreans are very consistent and they are favourites to go all the way again.”
Besides Sze Fei-Izzuddin, Malalasia will also be repressed in the men’s doubt by Aaron Chia-Soh Woody Yik, Man Wei Chong-Te Ci Wun, Yap Roy King-A Arnit One Junidi, Mohd Holzre Azriyn Ayb and Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi.
Veteran V Shem is also competing this time with his South Korean partner Choi Sol-gyu.
