New national men’s singles coach Harry Hartono has officially started work at the Academy Badminton Malaysia, insisting he feels no pressure to match his past success with top Indonesian players. Instead, the experienced coach said his focus is purely on professionalism and developing the players under his charge.
Appointed on a contract until 2028 as part of BAM’s long-term plan towards the Los Angeles Olympics, Hartono has set ambitious goals, including producing world No.1 players and world champions. He described his move to Malaysia as a fresh challenge after previous stints in Taiwan and Indonesia.
Hartono was encouraged by the fighting spirit shown on his first day, singling out Leong Jun Hao and Justin Hoh for their mentality and sense of responsibility. While he remains cautious about immediate tactical changes, he stressed that improving consistency, alongside technical and physical aspects, will be his main priorities. His exact role will be finalised after an initial assessment period.
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