Player-turned-coach Meng Yean bids adieu to BAM

PETALING JAYA: Lee Meng Yean (pic) has parted ways with the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) after being attached to the national set-up as a player and a coach for the last 16 years.

Playing at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 with Chow Mei Kuan was the highest point of Meng Yean’s career and she had also served as the captain of the 2020 Uber Cup team. The pair were ranked as high as 10th in the world in February of 2021.

Meng Yean was appointed as the women’s doubles coach in February 2022 by BAM after she quit the national team a month earlier.

She was redesignated as a junior coach in August this year.

Meng Yean, 29, thanked BAM for giving her the opportunity to serve the nation as a player and coach.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve Malaysian badminton, both as a player and a coach. It has been an honour to contribute to the sport and I look forward to the next chapter in my journey,” said Meng Yean.

“I thank BAM for the support and wish them continued success in developing badminton talents.”

BAM general secretary Datuk Kenny Goh, in announcing Meng Yean’s departure, expressed his gratitude for her long years of service.

“Meng Yean has served Malaysia loyally as a player and later as a coach. We thank her for her sacrifices and outstanding contribution to our country over the years,” said Kenny.

“We wish her the very best in her future undertakings and hope she will continue to contribute to the sport.”