A saddened Chan Peng Soon paid tribute to former coach Chin Eei Hui, whose contract was not renewed by the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) along with two other head coaches in Wong Pei Tty and Rosman Razak.
Chin was instrumental in guiding Chan and partner Goh Liu Ying to the 2016 Olympics mixed doubles silver medal in Rio de Janeiro, despite only being in charge of the pair for about a year.
“I am lost for words, I did not expect to hear this news. Eei Hui was a great coach. Honestly, Liu Ying and I would not have reached the [mixed doubles] final of the Olympics if not for her.
“I remember her sitting with us, analyzing opponents and discussing strategies with us like it was yesterday,” Chan told New Straits Times.
Of the three coaches axed, Chin’s absence would be felt the most.
Not many players turned coaches get to replicate their success on and off court, but Chin achieved it with a certain degree of success.
A former world number one with Wong, Chin won eight titles and fared well in both the women’s and mixed doubles.
As a coach, Chin's success with Chan-Goh led her to win the 2016 Best Female Coach of the Year award.
The Penang-born continued her good work in the mixed doubles, grooming Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing and Shevon Lai-Goh Soon Huat to be among the top 10 pairings in the world.
The 38-year-old's last stint in the national set-up was as Chan Chong Ming’s assistant in the women’s doubles department this year.
Chin and Wong’s contracts were not renewed, while Rosman parted ways by mutual consent.
