KUALA LUMPUR – Amid the spotlight on local coaches leaving the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM), the quiet departure of long-serving coach Poh Chai Boon has gone largely unnoticed.
Chai Boon, who dedicated 15 years to BAM, left the national setup recently after his contract ended in October and was not renewed.
Unlike men’s doubles head coach Tan Bin Shen, who will leave next month to join the Hong Kong national team, Chai Boon’s departure has not drawn much attention.
However, his contributions to Malaysian badminton deserve recognition.
For 13 years, Chai Boon was a key figure in BAM’s junior development programme, working under renowned coaches such as Yap Kim Hock, China’s Zhou Kejian, Kwan Yoke Meng, and Datuk Misbun Sidek.
During this time, he played a pivotal role in shaping some of Malaysia’s top shuttlers, including former world junior champions Ow Yao Han, Teo Ee Yi, and Nelson Heg, as well as Lee Zii Jia, Leong Jun Hao, and Goh Jin Wei.
After being promoted to the senior squad two years ago, Chai Boon continued to excel.
Last year, he guided Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin Rumsani to victory at the US Open, following their reunion as a pair.
He also steered Choong Hon Jian and Haikal Nazri to the Syed Modi title and recently led Aaron Tai and Kang Khai Xing to success at the Thailand International Challenge.
Chai Boon is married to former women’s doubles player Amelia Alicia Anscelly, who coaches the national girls’ junior squad.
Speaking to Scoop, Chai Boon expressed no bitterness about leaving BAM.
“When I found out my contract wasn’t renewed, I started looking for alternatives. My friend, who runs TRS Academy, approached me to join, and at the same time, the new Chinese brand Y.Ying offered to collaborate with us,” said Chai Boon.
“I see this as a fresh opportunity.”
Reflecting on his time at BAM, Chai Boon said, “I gained a lot of experience over the years, particularly in the junior squad. Together with Yoke Meng, we worked with players like Zii Jia, Soh Wooi Yik, and Jin Wei. Later, I also worked with Jun Hao. There are many great memories.”
It remains unclear who BAM will appoint to replace Chai Boon and Bin Shen.
For now, the national men’s doubles department will be overseen by Indonesian coach Muhammad Miftakh. — December 22, 2024