KUALA LUMPUR: Outgoing national men's doubles coach Tan Bin Shen has hinted at a potential return to Malaysian badminton in the future, with aspirations of becoming an even more accomplished coach.
The 40-year-old, whose four-year tenure with the BA of Malaysia (BAM) concludes after the Malaysia Open, will join the BA of Hong Kong next month.
The move follows an invitation from former colleague Wong Choong Hann, who now heads the Hong Kong coaching setup.
For Bin Shen, a former national shuttler who made his mark in the 2000s, the opportunity to work abroad was too good to pass up.
His stint with BAM, which began in December 2020, marked his first elite-level coaching experience and sparked his passion for international exposure.
"I've always wanted to broaden my horizons internationally," Bin Shen said.
"These four years with BAM gave me my first taste of coaching at the highest level. Now, I'm eager to explore different coaching philosophies and work environments.
"Every player brings their own unique characteristics, and I want to learn how to adapt to these different styles."
Despite starting his coaching career without significant recognition, Bin Shen has emerged as a respected figure within BAM.
His success is reflected in the development of several promising pairs, including Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun, Choong Hon Jian-Haikal Nazri and Yap Roy King-Wan Arif Junaidi — all now ranked within the world's top 25.
Reflecting on his tenure, Bin Shen said: "My time with BAM has been incredibly rewarding. Watching pairs like Wei Chong-Kai Wun and Roy King-Arif develop into Super 300 champions has been deeply satisfying.
"Wei Chong-Kai Wun's run into the Indonesia Open Super 1000 final last year proved they have the potential for greater achievements.
"Working with Aaron-Wooi Yik and helping them become world champions and Olympic medalists has been a privilege.
"My parting advice to all my players is simple — stay focused, train diligently, and dream big. Success will follow."
Though Wei Chong-Kai Wun's Malaysia Open semi-final exit on Saturday denied Bin Shen a fairy-tale farewell, he remains proud of their performance.
"While victory was our goal, I'm impressed by their fighting spirit. They gave their all in every point, every game," he added.
After the Chinese New Year, Bin Shen will begin his new role in Hong Kong, joining a growing Malaysian contingent under Choong Hann's leadership.
The Hong Kong setup has recently strengthened their coaching roster with the additions of another two Malaysian coaches — Loh Wei Sheng (singles) and Jeremy Gan (mixed doubles).