Malaysian was key in shaping Satwik-Chirag’s Career
NEW DELHI: Celebrated Malaysian coach Tan Kim Herwho has been credited for the rise of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty – one of the world’s best men’s doubles players – is returning to India for a second stint.
TOI has learnt that Kim Her, who was India’s doubles coach from 2015-2019 before putting in his papers due to personal reasons, has accepted the Badminton Association of India‘s (BAI) offer to coach the World Championships bronze medallist doubles pair of Satwik-Chirag till the Asian Games 2026. He will take over the reins from Danish legend Mathias Boe, who parted ways with the Indian pair after he wasn’t offered a contract extension post the Paris Olympics.
It’s been learnt that Kim Her will not only look work with Satwik-Chirag pair but will also closely monitor the progress of other doubles players in both men’s and women’s sections. According to sources, the 52-year-old Malaysian – who was last coaching the Japanese national team as men’s doubles coach – will be paid $10,000 per month (approx. Rs 8.43 lakh) by Sports Authority of India (SAI).
“Kim Her has accepted the offer and will be soon joining the Indian badminton setup. Both Satwik and Chirag were eager to have him back. Following their request, we approached him and he agreed to come,” said a BAI source.
“BAI had approached him to coach our doubles teams in 2022 as well, with primary focus on training Satwik and Chirag, but he declined due to personal reasons. Kim Her knows Satwik and Chirag’s game thoroughly and they will immensely benefit from his coaching,” the source added.
It was Kim Her who identified the potential in Satwik Chirag’s game. He brought the two together and turned them into a formidable pair. Kim Her was popularly known as the ‘father of Satwik and Chirag’ in Indian badminton circles for the way he shaped their careers.
It’s been learnt that Indonesian coaching great Irwansyah Adi Pratma has also been roped in as the new singles coach (men and women).
This will be Pratma’s first stint in the country. He was last seen in the role of the Indonesian men’s badminton team’s singles coach. He will also be paid $10,000 by SAI. He will replace fellow Indonesian Agus Dwi Santoso.
Another Indonesian, Dwi Kristiawan, who has been a part of the Indian set up since 2011, has been retained in his current role as the men’s singles coach.
