KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia’s former player Kwan Yoke Meng has quit the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) after serving for nearly 20 years.
The 57-year-old former national player made the announcement on his Facebook account, stating that his contract as a junior coach will not be renewed by the national body.
“I will no longer be with BAM in March and will become a free agent. I am excited as I still have so much to offer and would love to share my knowledge and experience.
“I am also grateful for the support from my family and many, many friends who have offered me words of encouragement,” read the statement.
Yoke Meng joined the coaching team in 1993 where he was the senior coach, but left BAM in 2003.
He, however, returned to the association in 2015 as the head coach of the badminton team of Bukit Jalil Sports School, before being given a different portfolio as the youth coach in 2020.
His departure would be the latest one in the news for the elite squad following Vountus Indra Mawan’s resignation and last day on January 31 as he left for Australia to become the head coach of Badminton Victoria and the national head coach’s assistant.
Former All England champion Hafiz Hashim also announced his departure after his contract was not renewed.
Recently, Malaysia Badminton Academy chief executive officer Michelle Chai announced that Datuk Misbun Sidek will lead the junior singles department, while senior squad doubles head coach Rexy Mainaky takes on the additional role of overseeing the elite squad. – The Vibes, February 21, 2023