KUALA LUMPUR: Former internationals Hafiz Hashim and Amelia Alicia Anscelly look forward to passing their knowledge to the younger generation, after returning to the BA of Malaysia (BAM) as Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) coaches.
Hafiz, a former All England champion (2003), was hired to lead the Form Four and Form Five boys singles, while 2015 Singapore Sea Games gold medallist Amelia, is the girls doubles coach.
Both Hafiz and Amelia, along with Mohd Lutfi Zaim Abdul Khalid and former Singapore national shuttler, Waheeda Abdullah are the four new coaches who started work last week, after being brought in by the national body to help boost the junior squad.
Hafiz, who first quit BAM in 2011, when met today after the first official assembly at the Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM), said: "My position was only confirmed late last month. Prior to that I was based at my own private badminton academy. Now I've left it under the care of my younger brother.
"It's a new challenge for me of course and I'm excited to journey with the young generation of players. It's different coaching at a private academy as compared to being a BJSS coach.
"These kids are the cream of the crop, and it's about getting them up to a more advanced level. At clubs, you train all levels, including beginners and intermediates, and the turnover rate is very high. Here my job is more secure."
Apart from meeting personal goals this year, Hafiz, 36, also wants to maintain Malaysia's strong presence at the World Junior Championships.
Meanwhile, Amelia, who only retired from playing last year, believes she made the right choice by becoming coach.
"Of course I thought of becoming a professional shuttler, but let's face it, becoming a top player outside BAM is going to be very hard. Furthermore, I may not have the same desire to push myself if I was an independent shuttler.
"I decided to return and coach here because I want to contribute to the team. I want to give back what I have learned as a player and see these young shuttlers flourish," said Amelia, who was conducting private coaching before taking up the job.
BAM president Datuk Seri Norza Zakaria, who chaired the assembly today, welcomed the new coaches as he adressed almost 60 young shuttlers from BJSS.
Norza announced that all the 60 players will be transferred to ABM by April, where they will stay, study and train under one roof, alongside elite and back up shuttlers.