New role for Loh Kean Yew's coach Kelvin Ho from 2025, SBA to consider 'marquee names' to be successor

SINGAPORE: Having been instrumental in the meteoric rise of former world champion Loh Kean Yew, national singles' head coach Kelvin Ho has now been handed a new remit - to help groom the next generation of badminton stars.

He will take over as singles head coach of the national training squad from next year, said Singapore Badminton Association (SBA) in a press release on Monday (Oct 21).

“I am honoured by this new role to groom the next generation of Olympians and world champions. It is a heavy mandate, but at the same time, a much-welcomed challenge," said the 34-year-old, who also coaches Singapore's top women's singles player Yeo Jia Min.

"The fact that I have a good runway to the 2032 Olympics helps tremendously. I would have more time to refine the present system and improve the scouting of young players to join the national training squad, and who will ultimately aspire to be on the national team.”

SBA will also look into the hiring of a men's singles and as well as women's singles coach. Under the current framework, Ho is handling both of these roles.

"Instead of having one singles head coach for the national team, a head coach each for men’s singles and women’s singles may be appointed to provide a more rigorous focus on each of these disciplines," said the association.

"SBA is in the process of appointing the TD (technical director), and is studying the feasibility of establishing these two singles head coach positions to be filled by marquee names."

Additionally, SBA will be hiring a new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) as current CEO Alan Ow will be stepping down from his position at the end of the year to "focus on being more present for his family", said the association.

Much has changed for Ho over the years.