BAM Bolsters Coaching Ranks with New Appointments
KUALA LUMPUR – The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) has officially announced a strategic expansion of its national coaching department, appointing three seasoned experts to key roles. The move is part of a broader initiative to reinforce the nation’s coaching framework and streamline the transition of talent from the junior ranks to the professional world stage.
The new appointments, confirmed on January 30, are:
- Harry Hartono: Men’s Singles Coach
- Yeoh Kay Bin: Junior Men’s Singles Coach
- Mohd Zakry Abdul Latif: Women’s Doubles Coach
A Strategic Vision for Development
The restructuring aims to provide a holistic approach to player growth, focusing on technical, tactical, physical, and mental discipline. According to BAM Performance Committee Chairman Dato’ Seri Dr. Lee Chong Wei, the selection process was highly collaborative, involving inputs from the newly appointed Directors.
“Both of us are former players and understand the needs of coaches,” Lee Chong Wei stated, referring to his discussions with Kenneth Jonassen (Director of Singles). “He submitted a list of coaching candidates with a focus on continuity for young players.”
In the doubles department, Rexy Mainaky (Director of Doubles) personally advocated for the inclusion of Mohd Zakry Abdul Latif to help fortify the women’s pairs.
Integrated Coaching Structure
The new coaches will integrate into existing teams to ensure a seamless flow of expertise:
| Department | New Appointment | Working Alongside |
| Men’s Singles | Harry Hartono | Datuk Tey Seu Bock (Head Coach), K. Yogendran, Alvin Chew, Goh Giap Chin |
| Junior Men’s Singles | Yeoh Kay Bin | Working in tandem with the senior singles squad for continuity |
| Women’s Doubles | Mohd Zakry Abdul Latif | Rosman Razak (Head Coach), Ching Kai Feng, Amelia Anscelly |
The “One Family” Philosophy
Lee Chong Wei emphasized that the success of these appointments relies on unity across the board. He issued a clear directive to all coaching staff—both veteran and new—to break down silos and work collectively.
“I do not want a situation where someone says, ‘I only take care of my own players,’” Chong Wei warned. “We are one family and must work collectively… We need to look after everyone together and discuss solutions to any problems.”
Timeline for Integration
The three coaches are set to begin their tenures throughout February:
- Yeoh Kay Bin: Reporting for duty on February 3.
- Harry Hartono: Reporting for duty on February 10.
- Mohd Zakry Abdul Latif: Reporting for duty on February 20.
This phased rollout ensures that each coach can be properly integrated into the training schedules as BAM prepares for a rigorous international calendar.
