KUALA LUMPUR: The Magician is coming to Malaysia, and national coaching director Rexy Mainaky believes that Herry IP will work his spell to transform the national men's doubles players.
Rexy felt that Herry, who might be stung by his omission from the Indonesia BA 's coaching line-up, wants to prove to his former employers that he still has the special ability to create Olympic and world champions.
At today's BA of Malaysia (BAM) council meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Rexy convinced them that Herry, known in Indonesia as the "Magician" for his coaching success, is the right man to guide Malaysia in the bid to win the elusive Olympic gold in 2028 in Los Angeles.
Herry's appointment was endorsed by the BAM council, and the 62-year-old will start his four-year tenure on Feb 1. He replaced Tan Bin Shen, who has resigned from BAM to join Hong Kong as their doubles coach next month.
Rexy recalled his days as an up-and-coming player in the late 1980s where he looked up to Herry at the Bimantara Tangkas club in Jakarta.
Rexy felt that Herry has the expertise to elevate Malaysian doubles players and help the country win Olympic gold in 2028.
"After Bin Shen resigned, I approached Herry and he didn't have second thoughts and wanted the job. This is probably because he also wanted to prove that he still has the ability to produce world class pairs," said Rexy.
"Herry's acceptance is also because Malaysia has the material that he can work with and can groom them to achieve better results.
"He has produced not one but two Olympic champions, numerous world champions and so many pairs who became world No. 1.
"Although the Olympics will be his ultimate goal, we will let him arrive and meet the current pairs. We have the World Championships, All England and Sudirman Cup as our main objectives this year."
Rexy recalled how Herry's influence turned him from a singles player into a doubles ace during their days with the Bimantara Tangkas club.
He believes Herry will also be able to help world No. 6 Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik overcome their current bad patch. "Aaron-Wooi Yik have been struggling, and I believe Herry's miracle work will possibly help them turn things around.
"Let him weave his magic with our current squad and make the necessary changes that he wants to ensure our men's doubles see a significant rise."
Meanwhile, BAM acting president Datuk V. Subramaniam has assured that Herry and the coaches will have a free hand in executing their training programmes.
Herry is known for his close rapport with his players, but has a no-nonsense approach in training and doesn't hesitate to take trainees to task if they slack in training and tournaments.
Herry's first major assignment with the national squad will be the All England on March 11-16 where Malaysia have not won the men's doubles crown since Tan Boon Heong-Koo Kien Keat's success in 2007.