Will Yap Kim Hock return to the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) as national mixed doubles head coach?
BAM is looking for a new coach to replace Nova Widianto, who left on July 31 to become Indonesia’s head mixed doubles coach, and the experienced Kim Hock could be on the national body’s radar.
The 1996 Atlanta Olympics silver medalist, who won the medal with Cheah Soon Kit, currently coaches at the Zhengzhou Badminton Academy in Henan, China.
However, his planned visit to Kuala Lumpur early next month has fueled speculation about his return to BAM.
Kim Hock said he will be in Kuala Lumpur to compete in the parent-child category of the Galaxy Lightning Cup International Championship in Genting Highlands from September 3-6 with his 19-year-old son, Yap Jun Sen, where they finished runners-up last year.
“I will come to KL next month, but only to accompany my son Jun Sen and compete in the Lightning Cup. I think the news about my return to BAM is just a rumor,” said Kim Hock with a laugh when contacted in China.
“I also played in that tournament last year, where we finished runners-up, and we are playing again this time.”
“My return is to participate, but more importantly, to spend time with my family, who lives in Malaysia.”
Kim Hock began his coaching career as head coach of the national junior team in 2002, where he discovered Koo Kien Keat as a future star, before becoming head coach of BAM from 2004 to 2008.
He was then reassigned to the Bukit Jalil Sports School as a national junior coach and also served as head coach of the Petaling Badminton Club from 2013 to 2017 before moving to China.
Kim Hock said his contract in Henan runs until the end of the year and he has not decided on his immediate future.
“My contract in China is valid until the end of the year. After that, I will decide the next step in my coaching career,” added Kim Hock.
Yap Kim Hock previously expressed his desire in 2017 to re-join BAM.
The fact that he has not denied the possibility of a return is a clear indication that he has not ruled it out if an offer comes along.
BAM is also reportedly interested in appointing a Malaysian to fill the void left by Nova, and all-rounder Kim Hock could be an ideal choice to fulfill the national body’s requirements.
Yap Kim Hock has also worked with Chen Tang Jie, the 2025 mixed doubles world champion with Toh Ee Wei, during his tenure at Petaling BC and could pair up again with his former protégé if he returns to BAM.
Article Tag: bam, nova widianto, yep kim hock
Published by Ligaolahraga.com at https://www.ligaolahraga.com/badminton/yap-kim-hock-bantah-gantikan-nova-widianto-jadi-pelagi-ganda-campuran