Two Reasons Herry IP Accepts Malaysia's Training Offer

Herry Iman Pierngadi (center) while still handling the pair Kevin Sanjaya/Marcus Gideon (doc. PBSI).

JAKARTA Herry Iman Pierngadi expressed two main reasons that made him want to accept an offer from the Malaysian Badminton Association (BAM) to train the men's doubles.

The Malaysian badminton parent officially announced Herry IP as the men's doubles coach in January 2025. The coach nicknamed Naga Api has also started carrying out his new duties as of February 1, 2025.

Herry said that there were two considerations that made him willing to accept the job even though Malaysia had been considered Indonesia's rival in badminton.

"Despite competing, Malaysia and Indonesia have a lot in common culture, language, food, and even training methods. That's why I accepted this offer," Herry was quoted as saying by the New Straits Times.

The next pretext that makes the 62-year-old coach interested in the neighboring country is the depth of composition in the sector he will train. Currently, Malaysia has two men's doubles at the top 10.

The two pairs in question are Goh Sze Fei/Nur Izzuddin (2) and Aaron Chia/Soh Wooi Yik (5). In addition, they also have other potential pairs such as junior world champion Aaron Tai/Kang Khai Xing, Man Wei Chong/Kai Wun Tee, and Junaidi Arif/Yap Roy King.

"Malaysia also has several promising couples. I feel more excited than depressed to start my work here," said the coach who was born in Pangkal Pinang.

Herry IP before starting his duties had already chatted with several Malaysian couples when they appeared at the Indonesia Masters 2025 last week.

"I had a lot of chat with the players and got to know them better. Glad to see Man Wei Chong/Kai Wun Tee win the Indonesia Masters.

"This shows that the Malaysian doubles have depth and quality, which makes me more motivated to start my work here," he said.

Herry IP is one of Indonesia's success coaches. He is noted to have coached several world and Olympic champions.

He got two Olympic gold medals with Chandra Wijaya/Tony Gunawan and Markis Kido/Hendra Setiawan.

Herry IP's first official assignment with Malaysia's men's doubles will begin at the Asian Mixed Team Championships in Qingdao, China, on 11-16 February 2025.