PETALING JAYA: Indonesian badminton coach Eng Hian has apologised to Malaysian badminton players Pearly Tan and M Thinaah over his “black and white” reference to them when he was giving instructions to his shuttlers at the ongoing French Open championship.
In a video apology posted on Twitter, the coach who spoke in the Indonesian language said he had no intention to hurt the duo.
“With all humility, I apologise to Pearly Tan and M Thinaah. I had no intention to upset the Malaysian players.
“Once again, I apologise for my words from the bottom of my heart,” the 45-year-old coach said in the clip posted on Twitter account Rubber Game Indonesia last night.
On Thursday, Eng Hian was overheard referring to Pearly and Thinaah as “putih” (white) and “hitam” (black) when he was giving instructions to Indonesian shuttlers Febriana Dwipuji Kusuma-Amalia Cahaya Pratiwi during a break.
The remark went viral on social media after being captured on television during the French Open’s round of 16.
Yesterday, Pearly and Thinaah advanced to the semifinals of the French Open, beating world number three pair Nami Matsuyama-Chiharu Shida of Japan 15-21, 21-14, 21-14 at Stade Pierre de Coubertin, Paris.
The Malaysians will face South Koreans Baek Ha Na-Lee So Hee today.
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