Stick with BAM, Khe Wei urges Pearly-Thinaah
Khe Wei, who won the 2014 Commonwealth Games women's doubles gold with Vivian Hoo, said only those with exceptional discipline succeed as professionals — and even then, it's a huge risk.
"Many have tried and failed to make the grade," she said.
Khe Wei stressed that BAM provides everything from coaching to tournament arrangements, allowing players to focus solely on results.
Pearly-Thinaah have yet to renew their BAM contract, which expired in December, as they are believed to be holding out for a more lucrative deal.
However, BAM has stood firm and is unwilling to further improve its current revised offer.
Khe Wei believes the pair would struggle to find a dedicated women's doubles coach if they go independent.
"BAM offers top-class facilities and coaching. Pearly-Thinaah don't have to worry about logistics. They just train, compete and deliver," she said.
"As independents, they'll need to manage their own schedules, secure a coach, and make travel plans. It's easy to lose discipline without a structured system — players can skip training or slack off.
"With BAM, there's no excuse — they train, eat, sleep and compete. Even injuries are handled well with good recovery support."
Khe Wei also pointed out that Pearly-Thinaah's preferred coach, Rosman Razak, is already with BAM, making a move unnecessary.
She admitted financial freedom could be tempting, especially with the pair's large social media following.
"They're very popular on Instagram and other platforms, so attracting sponsors wouldn't be an issue if they go independent," said Khe Wei.
"But the pressure to perform will still be there. Sponsors only stay if results follow. If their form drops, the deals will dry up too."
She acknowledged that while some independent pairs have succeeded — like world No. 2 Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani (men's doubles) and world No. 3 Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai (mixed doubles) — it remains a gamble.
"There are risks in going pro. Some manage, but most don't. Pearly-Thinaah should stay with BAM and continue their progress."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
20 hours ago
- The Star
From hard times to high five, Roy King-Arif starting to jive under coach Herry
PETALING JAYA: Hard times shape champions and men's doubles shuttlers Yap Roy King-Wan Arif Wan Junaidi are beginning to show just that. After a slow start, Roy King-Arif showed that they have finally adapted well under coach Herry Iman Pierngadi's guidance. World No. 24 Roy King-Arif, who combined in 2023, ended their wait for a World Tour title in the Super 300 Macau Open after brilliantly toppling Indonesia's world No. 8 Sabar Gutama-Moh Reza 22-20, 21-18 at the Macau East Asian Games Dome on Sunday. The pair made it count in their first final since finishing runners-up to Sabar-Moh in the Spain Masters last year. The 24-year-old Roy King and Arif, 23, were pleased to finally get their reward together. 'We are satisfied with this win as we have waited so long for a title,' said Arif. They had to bide their time this year after struggling for a breakthrough in their previous tournaments. The duo's best result before this was a semi-final finish in the Orleans Masters in March while their only title previously was in the 2023 Nantes International Challenge. 'Our last final was last year in March where we faced the same opponents and lost. So, avenging that defeat is very satisfying,' said Arif. 'Before this, I found it hard to adapt to Herry's coaching and the tactics he wants us to implement. 'He has only been guiding us in about five tournaments so far. 'Now, we are starting to get used to his coaching in training as well. We hope to keep improving after this.' Herry only took over from Tan Bin Shen as the men's doubles head coach in the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) in February. 'This is a very meaningful victory for me and Arif. Both of us are very happy with our performance in the final,' said Roy King. 'I just keep telling myself to trust the process and be prepared when the opportunity comes. 'I think hard moments make us who we are now, so we just need to keep taking it step by step.' Roy King hopes to continue his good form with Arif in the World Championships from Aug 25-31 where the pair will be making their debut. 'Beating a top 10 pair and winning this title has given us a confidence boost before the world meet,' said Roy King. 'Hopefully, there will be more to come from us and we want to continue our form in Paris.'
The Star
20 hours ago
- The Star
The hand behind surge
Vast improvement: Yap Roy King-Wan Arif Wan Junaidi have stepped up their game by winning the Macau Open men's doubles title. PETALING JAYA: With a champion's mindset and a proven track record, legendary coach Herry Iman Pierngadi is reshaping Malaysia's men's doubles fortunes – just in time for the World Championships in Paris from Aug 25-31. Since taking charge in February from Tan Bin Shen, the Indonesian tactician has wasted no time leaving his mark, guiding Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun, and Yap Roy King-Wan Arif Wan Junaidi to title wins. All three pairs have made the cut for the world meet together with professionals Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani, fulfilling the maximum representation in the event. In the past, there used to be only one or two titles delivered by the doubles players in a year and usually the same pair would win it. But under Herry, the overall depth of the men's doubles in the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) has improved. The recent maiden World Tour win by Roy King-Arif in the Macau Open on Sunday showed that even the younger pairs in the team are all fired up. With better results and the players showing more confidence in their game, it is a clear sign that Malaysia's chase for glory is gaining real momentum. Herry believes the strong form shown by the pairs bodes well for Malaysia's chances of capturing gold in the men's doubles in Paris. 'It's good that we have four pairs heading to the World Championships in good form,' said Herry. 'When compared to other countries, Malaysia have a good chance to win the men's doubles title. 'The pairs under me are beginning to adapt to my coaching style and philosophy. 'When I first arrived, it was normal for the players to take some time to adapt. 'There would be ups and downs, and we saw it with all the pairs. Now, they are getting better.' Before Roy King-Arif, world No. 2 Aaron-Wooi Yik had captured gold in the Asian Championships for the first time and went on to add the Thailand Open and Singapore Open to their list of honours, besides finishing runners-up in the China Open and Malaysian Masters. World No. 7 Wei Chong-Kai Wun beat their teammates to win the Malaysian tourney to go with the Indonesian Masters crown. World No. 4 Sze Fei-Izzuddin have also won a title this year – the Indian Open in January – and finished runners' up in the Japan Open last month. This time, Herry can expect more than one pair to fight for honours at the world meet. In 2022, Aaron-Wooi Yik created history when they became the first Malaysian shuttlers to clinch the world title in Tokyo. The pair then won bronze in the last edition in 2023 in Copenhagen. While Malaysia have been overly reliant on Aaron-Wooi Yik in the past, Sze Fei-Izzuddin and Wei Chong-Kai Wun's improvement raises hopes that they could fight for a medal too this time. Both pairs will also have a better chance this time as being ranked in the world's top eight means that they will have an easier path to the quarter-finals. Despite being underdogs, debutants Roy King-Arif too will not be short of confidence after their triumph in Macau and will be hoping to spring a surprise. The seedings for the prestigious meet will be released on Friday while the draw will be out on Aug 13.
New Straits Times
a day ago
- New Straits Times
Five titles not enough — Herry demands world champs in Paris
KUALA LUMPUR: Coach Herry IP insists he's far from satisfied despite guiding Malaysia to five titles in just six months since taking charge of the national men's doubles squad in February. The latest success came courtesy of world No. 24 Arif Junaidi-Yap Roy King, who lifted the Macau Open crown on Sunday after defeating Indonesia's Sabar Karyaman Gutama-Moh Reza Pahlevi Isfahani 22-20, 21-18 in a 80-minute final. That win marked Malaysia's fifth men's doubles title of the season under the Indonesian coach – fondly dubbed the 'Fire Dragon'. Herry has already played a key role in helping world No. 2 Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik bag titles at the Badminton Asia Championships, Thailand Open and Singapore Open, while also reaching the finals of the Malaysia Masters and China Open. World No. 7 Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun chipped in with a title of their own at the Malaysia Masters, bringing the tally to five since Herry's arrival. But the seasoned tactician is demanding more — with his sights firmly set on the biggest prize of all — the World Championships in Paris at the end of the month. "I hope we can produce world champions this year — it doesn't matter which pair does it, as long as they are from Malaysia," he told BH Sukan. To date, Malaysia have won the world title only once through Aaron-Wooi Yik in 2022 in Tokyo — ending the nation's long wait for glory. This time, four Malaysian pairs will be in the hunt for honours in Paris – three from the BA of Malaysia (BAM) — Aaron-Wooi Yik, Wei Chong-Kai Wun and Arif-Roy King, along with independent duo Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani (world No. 4). On the Macau Open final, Herry said composure and patience were the keys to Arif-Roy King's breakthrough, particularly in challenging conditions – with the match frequently interrupted by water dripping from the arena's air conditioning system, creating slippery patches on court. "The match went on for 80 minutes because it had to be stopped multiple times due to the wet court," said Herry. "I told the boys to stay focused and patient – don't rush, as the court conditions were far from ideal. It wasn't about tactics – it was all about maintaining focus and composure." Herry described the pair's first World Tour title as the perfect morale booster ahead of the World Championships. "Yes, this is their first title, and it'll definitely give them an extra lift going into the Worlds." Their win in Macau also ended a 12-year drought for Malaysia in the men's doubles at the event – the last success coming in 2013 via Hoon Thien How-Tan Wee Kiong. Although pleased with the current level of consistency from his charges, Herry is aiming for greater depth moving forward. "I think our performance has been quite good and consistent, but I want more. In the future, I hope to see five or six Malaysian pairs capable of challenging for titles – not just two or three.
