Irwansyah (C) with Jonatan Chrisite (R) and Chico Wardoyo (Photo: Indonesian badminton federation PBSI)
Indonesian badminton coach Irwansyah, who has been the long-time singles coach for the badminton powerhouses, has said he has accepted an offer from India after his contract ran down with Persatuan Bulutangkis Seluruh Indonesia (PBSI, the country’s badminton federation). Irwansyah is credited with the rise of men’s singles stars Jonatan Christie and Anthony Ginting, who have both been as high as No 2 in the world.
“PBSI as my employer did not send me to the China Masters & Superseries Final Championship without informing me,” Irwansyah was quoted as saying in a written statement by CNN Indonesia. “And until now there is no clarity and reason why I was not sent and included to accompany the players, then I decided to accept one of the offers from abroad,” said Irwansyah. “I wanted to try a new challenge and seek new experiences living abroad with my wife and children. My family and I decided to accept a job offer as a coach in India.”
Christie, who won Asian Games gold in 2018, thanked the coach on his Instagram account. “Thank you for all the good things and memories we have gone through together so far, I wish you all the best in the future,” he posted a story.
Indonesia had a difficult men’s singles outing at Paris 2024 despite high hopes from their two star shuttlers Anthony Ginting and Jonatan Christie. Ginting failed to progress out of the group after defeat against Toma Junior Popov. Christie, third seed, was eliminated by Lakshya Sen in the group stage as well. But 2024 also saw some famous results for the singles stars from the badminton-mad nation.
“If you say the results are bad, okay, Jonatan and Ginting’s Olympics did not have good results, I accept it, I am also responsible,” Irwansyah had told MNC Portal Indonesia recently. “But not everything is bad. This year’s All England we made history, the first time in 30 years, Jonatan and Ginting in the All England final, that’s history.”
It is not clear yet what role the Badminton Association of India has offered him.
Last week, BAI confirmed the appointment of Malaysian doubles specialist Tan Kim Her to work with the national team for the second time. Instrumental in pairing Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy during his first stint with India, the BAI statement said that “Tan will focus on developing strong doubles partnerships and bench strength ahead of the 2026 Asian Games and 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.”
Tan has already arrived in India and has begun his second spell with the team, joining the players in Hyderabad.
“We had been looking for quality foreign coaches who could work with our current top players and also guide our next-generation players as we prepare for the 2028 Olympics. Finding the right coach took time but we were determined to bring in those who can continue the development of our badminton stars and also work with a bigger group of players and help build a strong pipeline of talent for the future,” said BAI Secretary General Sanjay Mishra.
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