The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) were served with a big blow when their national women's doubles coach Cheah Soon Kit resigned yesterday.

The National Sports Council (NSC)'s elite programme director Ariffin Ghani confirmed that the former doubles star Soon Kit had quit the national body.

“I had a meeting with Kenny (Goh, the BAM's general manager) today (yesterday). I was informed by Kenny that Soon Kit had given his letter of resignation to the BAM,” said Ariffin.

“I have asked Kenny to submit an official letter on Soon Kit's resignation to us (the NSC). We want to know why he resigned. We will discuss this issue when we meet the BAM during our next working committee meeting,” he added.

Time to move on: Women’s doubles coach Cheah Soon Kit (centre) talking to Fong Chew Yen and Mooi Hing Yau after they lost to Japan's Kumiko Ogura-Reiko Shiota in the second round of the World Championships in August, Soon Kit's contract ends on Dec 31.

The absence of Soon Kit will be a big loss for the BAM. Under his guidance, the women doubles players – especially the current number one pair of Chin Eei Hui-Wong Pei Tty – had achieved great milestones.

They won the SEA Games gold medal at Manila two years ago. They were also the gold medallists at last year's Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.

This year, the duo defeated world number one pair of Zhang Yawen-Wei Yili of China in the first round of the Danish Open in October.

The BAM will now have to find an able replacement for Soon Kit to ensure that Eei Hui and Pei Tty's preparation for next year's Olympic Games in Beijing will stay on the right track.

It is learnt that Soon Kit has agreed to join the professional outfit KLRC Bhd, helmed by Datuk Seri Andrew Kam, next month.

Soon Kit will be in charge of former national women's doubles players - Joanne Quay, Lim Pek Siah, Chor Hooi Yee and newcomer Haw Chiou Hwee.

Copyright © 2007 The Star.