BASEL, Switzerland – Malaysia’s men’s doubles head coach, Herry Iman Pierngadi, has voiced his frustration over the unilateral decision by Choong Hon Jian and Muhammad Haikal Nazri to withdraw from the Swiss Open 2026, a Super 300 tournament scheduled for March 10-15. The withdrawal, stemming from a reported ankle injury to Haikal, has raised questions about communication and player commitment within the Malaysian badminton program.
Haikal initially complained of discomfort in his right ankle following his and Hon Jian’s first-round exit at the All England Open last week. However, Herry, known as Herry IP, questioned the severity of the injury and had hoped the pair would compete in Basel. When Haikal insisted on withdrawing, Herry directed the players to handle the process directly with the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) management.
“The pull out was not my decision. You have to ask the players. It wasn’t from me,” Herry stated, as reported by The Star. “Haikal was the one who wanted to pull out because he didn’t wish to play in the Swiss. I told him to speak to the management about it. At that time, I was very focused on the All England as there were still many matches including the semi finals, so I didn’t really pay much attention to that matter.”
Herry further emphasized his hands-off approach once Haikal expressed his desire to withdraw. “When he said he wanted to withdraw, I told him to handle it himself. He said he was injured. But from what I saw, I didn’t observe any injury. If someone is injured, usually you can see it, maybe a problem with the leg or something. But I didn’t see any injury. That’s all,” he said.
The situation highlights a growing tension between Herry IP’s coaching philosophy and the players’ autonomy. Appointed as head coach in January 2025, Herry IP brought with him a wealth of experience from Indonesian badminton, aiming to elevate Malaysia’s men’s doubles performance. This incident, however, suggests potential challenges in implementing his vision.
Herry’s frustration extends beyond this single withdrawal. He expressed a clear preference for players who are willing to follow his guidance and commit to the tournament schedule. “As coaches, One can only help. If the players don’t want it, what else can we do? If we have already said many things but the players still don’t want to follow, then that’s it,” he explained. “As a coach, I will focus on the players who want to train and those who want to compete in tournaments. Those are the players I will focus on.”
This stance signals a potential shift in focus within the Malaysian men’s doubles program. Herry IP appears prepared to prioritize players who demonstrate a strong operate ethic and a willingness to adhere to his coaching directives. The incident with Hon Jian and Haikal serves as a clear message to the rest of the squad regarding expectations and commitment.
Herry Iman Pierngadi’s arrival in Kuala Lumpur in January 2025 was met with optimism, as he joined a growing contingent of Indonesian coaches bolstering the Malaysian badminton setup. Alongside doubles coaching director Rexy Mainaky and coaches Muhammad Miftakh and Nova Widianto, Herry IP was tasked with revitalizing the men’s doubles division. The current squad includes established pairs like Aaron Chia & Soh Wooi Yik, Man Wei Chong & Tee Kai Wun, as well as emerging talents like Wan Arif Wan Junaidi & Yap Roy King and Aaron Tai & Kang Khai Xing.
The Swiss Open withdrawal raises questions about the future of the Hon Jian-Haikal partnership. While the pair remains on the roster, their commitment to Herry IP’s program will likely be closely scrutinized. The incident too underscores the importance of clear communication and trust between players and coaches, particularly as Malaysia prepares for upcoming international competitions.
The Swiss Open 2026 continues in Basel, with other Malaysian players competing. The focus now shifts to how Herry IP will address this situation and whether it will lead to any further changes within the men’s doubles team. The tournament, running from March 10th to 15th, will be a key indicator of the team’s resilience and ability to move forward despite this setback.
As Herry IP navigates his new role with the Malaysian badminton team, his emphasis on discipline and commitment is becoming increasingly apparent. The withdrawal of Choong Hon Jian and Muhammad Haikal from the Swiss Open serves as a stark reminder of the challenges he faces in building a cohesive and competitive squad.
