KUALA LUMPUR — As Tan Bin Shen prepares for his final stint as the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) men’s doubles head coach, the stakes could not be higher.
His swan song, the prestigious Malaysia Open Super 1000, which starts on Tuesday, offers one last chance to guide his players to glory on home soil.
For Bin Shen, it is not just about saying goodbye; it is about leaving a legacy. After a transformative four-year tenure with BAM, the 39-year-old coach is determined to cap his journey with a title.
“Every coach dreams of seeing their players succeed. For me, winning the Malaysia Open would be the icing on the cake,” Bin Shen told Scoop.
His tenure at BAM has been nothing short of remarkable. Starting with budding players like Yap Roy King, Wan Arif Wan Junaidi, Haikal Nazri, Choong Hon Jian, Man Wei Chong and Tee Kai Wun, he nurtured them from International Series hopefuls to Super 300 champions.
But his crowning glory lies with Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik, whose rise under his guidance brought Malaysia medals at the World Championships, Asian Games, and even two Olympic podiums.
However, the Malaysia Open title has remained elusive. Aaron and Wooi Yik’s best finish was a semi-final run in 2022. Now, Bin Shen hopes this year will be different.
Reflecting on his journey, Bin Shen acknowledges that working with BAM has been a deeply enriching experience, allowing him to grow both professionally and personally.
However, the time has come to take his expertise abroad and elevate his coaching career with the Hong Kong men’s doubles team.
Unlike Malaysia, Hong Kong has a smaller talent pool and a limited history of success in men’s doubles. This challenge excites Bin Shen, as he looks forward to applying his skills to develop the team and raise their international standing.
“It is true, in Hong Kong, especially in doubles, they are better known for their mixed doubles players.
“The fact that they have a smaller pool of talent is an exciting new challenge for me. I want to continue to learn, to see and experience the different cultures in the game,” added Bin Shen.
This marks Bin Shen’s first full-time role abroad. While he previously coached Ireland’s national team, the brief stint lacked the full immersion he now seeks in Hong Kong.
As he takes to the sidelines for the last time with BAM, Bin Shen is filled with gratitude and optimism for what lies ahead.
A victory at the Malaysia Open would be the ultimate parting gift—not just to himself but to Malaysian badminton.
Meanwhile, BAM are expected to announce his successor soon, possibly during the Malaysia Open itself. — January 5, 2025