KUALA LUMPUR: When coaching legend Herry IP makes a promise, the Indonesian delivers.
And the 62-year-old, who has joined the BA of Malaysia (BAM) as the new national men's doubles coach, is here to produce the country's first Olympic champions at the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
Herry, who will officially start on Feb 1, brings a wealth of experience, having guided several Indonesian pairs to Olympic and world titles.
During his tenure with the Indonesian BA (PBSI) from 1999 to 2024, Herry masterminded two Olympic men's doubles triumphs — Candra Wijaya-Tony Gunawan at the 2000 Sydney Games and Hendra Setiawan-Markis Kido in Beijing 2008.
Hendra-Markis also captured the 2005 world title, while the former secured three more world championships with Mohammad Ahsan in 2013, 2015, and 2019.
Tony-Halim Hariyanto claimed the 2001 world title, while Candra partnered Sigit Budiarto to glory in 1997.
Herry also nurtured world No. 1 pairs Markus Fernaldi Gideon-Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo and Fajar Alfian-Rian Ardianto, who dominated the World Tour with numerous titles.
Such is Herry's reputation, earning him the nickname "The Magician," that national coaching director Rexy Mainaky had him as the only foreign choice for the role.
Herry, who has signed a four-year contract with BAM, is clear about his mission.
"Winning Malaysia's first Olympic gold is my main objective," Herry told Timesport on Sunday.
"The Olympic gold is the dream of every nation, and I will use every ounce of knowledge and expertise I have to help Malaysia achieve theirs at the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
"Malaysia have many quality pairs, and this motivated me to accept the offer. Rexy first approached me before Christmas last year.
"Although I am Indonesian and have served my country for so long, I am a professional and will give everything to make Malaysia a top nation in men's doubles.
'I am grateful to PBSI for the opportunities they gave me, but it's time to move on. The timing of BAM's offer was perfect, and I didn't hesitate to accept it."
Herry said world No. 6 pair Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik will likely lead the charge but stresses that they will not be his sole focus.
He sees great potential in world No. 14 Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun, who impressed with a semi-final run at the Malaysia Open, as well as other rising pairs.
"I know Aaron-Wooi Yik's quality, but I believe Wei Chong-Kai Wun also have good potential," said Herry.
"There are about eight pairs in the national team, and we have four years before the Olympics.
"I won't restrict myself to just one top pair. Instead, I will observe and guide all pairs to raise the overall quality.
"I need to meet with BAM and Rexy to discuss specific targets and strategies for the players."
In addition to Aaron-Wooi Yik and Wei Chong-Kai Wun, Herry will have other promising pairs to work with, including Choong Hon Jian-Haikal Nazri (No. 21), Wan Arif Wan Junaidi-Yap Roy King (No. 23) and world junior champions Aaron Tai-Kang Khai Xing (No. 59).
Herry revealed that Malaysia's strong talent pool was the deciding factor in choosing BAM over an offer from Thailand.