KUALA LUMPUR: Former Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM) singles coaching director Wong Choong Hann is the new men's singles head coach for the Hong Kong national team.
In a quick turn of events, Choong Hann will directly replace his compatriot, Wong Tat Meng, who controversially left the Hong Kong Badminton Association recently to assume the post of coaching director for former All England champion Lee Zii Jia.
According to Hong Kong news reports, Choong Hann will officially report for duty on Friday.
His contract will run until the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Hong Kong head coach He Yiming said: "Wong Choong Hann has outstanding achievements as an athlete.
"After retiring as a player, he served as the national coaching director for the Malaysian national team and has been very reliable for many years.
"Hong Kong's performance attracted Choong Hann to coach our team.
"The contract will last until after the Olympics. This is a mutual guarantee. I hope everyone can give their cooperation."
Among the players who will be under Choong Hann's guidance are World No. 13 Angus Ng Ka Long and 17th-ranked Lee Cheuk Yiu.
Choong Hann, who came under criticism for the lack of results in the BAM singles department, resigned last month.
The 46-year-old is a former World Championships finalist and a three-time Commonwealth Games champion.