Teo Kok Siang has rejoined the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) as the newly appointed mixed doubles coach, officially starting his tenure on September 1. His return follows several years spent mentoring independent players, including the world No. 1 mixed doubles pair Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin Rumsani. Within days of resuming his role, Kok Siang accompanied the national squad to the China Masters tournament.

The 36-year-old coach brings significant experience to BAM, having previously served with the national team from 2017 to 2022 alongside coaches Chin Eei Hui and Paulus Firman. During that earlier stint, Kok Siang worked with key players such as Chen Tang Jie—now a world champion—during the athlete’s formative years. Kok Siang noted the progress Chen has made, highlighting his increased maturity both on and off the court.

Prior to returning to BAM, Kok Siang also coached other prominent mixed doubles players, including Goh Soon Huat and Shevon Lai Jemie, as well as Lai Pei Jing during different partnerships. However, his current role differs from previous experiences, as the majority of the national mixed doubles athletes are still relatively young and developing their skills, with the exception of established pairs such as Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei and Jimmy Chua Cheng Su Yin.

Kok Siang expressed enthusiasm about rejoining the national setup and taking on a fresh challenge. He described the evolving nature of the sport, noting that modern training places greater emphasis on improving speed, power, and consistency, while past strategies focused more on tactics and game plans.

“It feels like the old days again. I’m proud to be back with the team and I hope I can help BAM get good results,” Kok Siang said. He also emphasized his personal motivation for the move, citing a desire for a change in environment and new professional challenges.

As Kok Siang integrates with the current squad, his experience and knowledge are expected to play a crucial role in guiding the next generation of Malaysian mixed doubles players as they gain international experience and aim for higher rankings.