KUALA LUMPUR – Former national men’s doubles ace Koo Kien Keat has openly expressed his disappointment after seeing his hopes of joining the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) coaching set-up fade, admitting that his dream role never truly came within reach.
Kien Keat revealed that BAM had approached him last year with an offer to serve as an assistant coach, but the proposal did not match his ambitions, as he had been targeting the men’s doubles head coach position.
That door, however, was effectively closed when BAM opted to hand the reins to highly regarded Indonesian coach Herry Iman Pierngadi.
“BAM did offer me a coaching role, but I was not happy with the position,” Kien Keat told reporters at Axiata Arena today.
“Honestly, I was hoping for a better offer, but it never came. It’s their decision, and I have to accept it.”
The former world number one did not shy away from addressing a long-standing issue in Malaysian badminton, suggesting that local expertise is often overlooked in favour of foreign names.
“I didn’t get the opportunity with BAM. It’s normal for people to think foreigners are better than locals,” he said.
“For me, a good coach is someone who gives players space and trusts them to express themselves on court.”
Kien Keat also shared that, had he been given the chance, his coaching philosophy would have been rooted in hands-on, practical guidance shaped by his own playing experience.
“As a player, I loved to showcase my skills. As a coach, I would have preferred to demonstrate things on court and show players how certain skills should be executed,” he added.
While his ambition to coach within BAM now appears to be over, Kien Keat’s influence has not disappeared from the elite scene.
The 40-year-old is currently lending his expertise to an independent men’s doubles group, including world number seven pair Goh Sze Fei–Nur Izzuddin Rumsani.
He has spent the past two weeks working closely with Sze Fei–Izzuddin and several other professional pairs in the build-up to the Malaysian Open, which begins tomorrow.
Yet, Kien Keat was unequivocal when asked about a long-term coaching future.
“No, I don’t have the heart to become a coach anymore,” he said.
“I have other commitments this year, and I can’t commit myself to a full-time coaching role. I’m only helping Sze Fei–Izzuddin for two weeks because they asked.”
A two-time Malaysian Open champion, having lifted the trophy in 2007 and 2010 alongside Tan Boon Heong, Kien Keat believes his brief involvement could still provide a timely boost.
However, he remains grounded about Malaysia’s chances of ending the long drought for a home men’s doubles champion.
“Honestly, a Malaysian pair could reach the final, but winning the title will be very difficult,” he said. “The Koreans are extremely consistent and they are favourites to win it again.”
Defending champions Seo Seung-jae–Kim Won-ho arrived in Kuala Lumpur on the back of a staggering 11-title haul last year, including the World Championships, making them the pair to beat.
The last Malaysians to lift the men’s doubles title on home soil were Goh V Shem and Lim Khim Wah in 2014.
Malaysia will also be represented in the men’s doubles by Aaron Chia–Soh Wooi Yik, Man Wei Chong–Tee Kai Wun, Yap Roy King–Wan Arif Wan Junaidi, Mohd Haikal Nazri–Choong Hon Jian, Tan Wee Kiong–Nur Mohd Azriyn Ayub, and Ong Yew Sin–Teo Ee Yi.
Veteran Goh V Shem is also back on the Malaysian Open stage, this time partnering South Korean Choi Sol-gyu, adding another intriguing subplot to the home challenge. – January 5, 2026
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