Herry IP Is The Strongest Candidate To Become Malaysia's Coach

Herry Iman Pierngadi (right) is the top candidate for Malaysia's doubles coach (doc. PBSI).

JAKARTA veteran coach from Indonesia, Herry Iman Pierngadi or who is familiarly called Herry IP, is currently still the strongest candidate to train Malaysian men's doubles.

Director of Training at the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM), Rexy Mainaky, said that Herry was at the top of the list after several former Malaysian players rejected this job offer because they still had their respective busy schedules.

Several former Malaysian badminton players who were approached by Rexy were Yap Kim Hock, Tan Boon Heong, Koo Kien Keat, and Lee Wan Wah.

"I approached several former players, including Kim Hock, for this job. Boon Heong is busy managing his own academy, Kien Keat focuses on his role as a badminton icon, and Wan Wah is currently still training in Japan."

"Kim Hock, who recruited me as men's doubles coach in 2005, is now training a club in China," Rexy said.

Rexy also admitted that he had spoken directly to Herry IP. The coach nicknamed the Fire Dragon is also ready to coach Malaysia if the contract is presented by BAM.

BAM is expected to discuss and potentially approve the appointment of Herry IP as their men's doubles coach in a board meeting which will be held on January 11, 2025.

Rexy said that he had given a recommendation to BAM to recruit Herry IP because the coach had high flying hours and had given birth to world champions and the Olympics.

"Not only me, everyone knows Herry's quality. I am only the director of coaching and the final decision must come from management," he said.

Herry IP's 25-year work with the Indonesian men's doubles team was marked by unmatched success, including two Olympic gold medals with Candra Wijaya/Tony Gunawan (Sydney 2000) and Hendra Setiawan/Markis Kido (Beijing 2008).

Hendra also claimed three world titles with Mohammad Ahsan (2013, 2015, and 2019). This pair even maintained world number one in a fairly long period.

Herry's experience and his proven ability in developing world-class players made him the main candidate for the role of Malaysia's men's doubles coach.