
Seng Zoe replaces Iskandar as new coach for Ireland
He was later absorbed into the national coaching set-up and eventually promoted to performance coach.
On Monday, Badminton Ireland confirmed that Seng Zoe will now assume the role of national singles coach, succeeding Iskandar.
The governing body is hoping the 27-year-old can build on the foundations laid by Iskandar in strengthening their singles department.
"Iskandar has been an incredible coach to work with. His passion for our purpose and values, coupled with the impressive results achieved by the players he coached, speaks volumes about his approach.
"We wish him all the best as he takes up a new opportunity in Malaysia.
"Yeoh Seng Zoe will take on a role alongside Iskandar in the national singles programme, and Badminton Ireland will review its coaching structure in the coming months," said Badminton Ireland in a statement.
Last year was one of the best for Irish badminton, with two players, Nguyen and women's singles player Rachael Darragh qualified for the Paris Olympics.
Nguyen's Olympic debut was particularly encouraging despite falling short in the group stage.
Under Iskandar's guidance, Nguyen also won the Irish Open for two consecutive years, starting in 2023.
Interestingly, Seng Zoe is not the only Malaysian contributing to Irish badminton. Mohd Izzuddin Shamsulmuzli, a former Nusa Mahsuri club player, is also serving in the set-up with a focus on junior development.
Iskandar was recently roped in by the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) to fill the national women's singles coaching post, which had been left vacant for five months following the resignation of Jeffer Rosobin in late February.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


New Straits Times
an hour ago
- New Straits Times
Sentuhan Wira to capture the soul of Malaysia's last Thomas Cup triumph
KUALA LUMPUR: The air inside Stadium Negara on the night of May 16, 1992 was thick with tension; swirling with hope, pressure, and the collective will of a nation. For Datuk Rashid Sidek, a key figure in Malaysia's epic 3-2 victory over Indonesia in the Thomas Cup final that day, the memories are still vivid. Now, 33 years later, Rashid is helping to bring that iconic moment in Malaysia's sporting history to the big screen. As a consultant for the movie, Sentuhan Wira, he is determined that it goes beyond recounting events — it must capture the soul of Malaysia's last Thomas Cup triumph and share its lessons of unity, sacrifice, and pride with a new generation. As Malaysia's first singles player, Rashid carried the burden of setting the tone in the final at Stadium Negara. Facing then world No. 1 Ardy Wiranata, he endured an unexpectedly gruelling match. "The memory that stays with me most is my own match, which turned into a real struggle," Rashid said. "On paper, it should have been a straight-set win, but it went to a rubber. The pressure was immense." Despite facing one of the game's biggest names of that time, Rashid entered the clash with confidence. "Our head-to-head record favoured me. I understood his style and knew how to counter it. Even though it was tough, I believed I could win." Rashid's hard-fought victory gave Malaysia a crucial 1-0 lead, sparking jubilation in the crowd. But that joy quickly gave way to tension as the tie unfolded. The first doubles match featured Rashid's elder brothers, Razif and Jalani — who was quietly battling a fever. "The situation with Jalani was critical," Rashid revealed. "He was unwell, but there was no choice, he had to play. It was a selfless act. "The plan was for our strongest pair, Cheah Soon Kit-Soo Beng Kiang, to clinch the tie in the second doubles. Razif-Jalani took one for the team. We lost that point, but the bigger strategy stayed intact." This spirit of sacrifice defined the team. It was a culture shaped by China's coaching greats Han Jian and Yang Yang — former world champions who served as mentors as much as technical advisers. "We had tremendous support," said Rashid. "Our coaches had been there before. They guided us through the pressure, held regular motivational sessions, and gave advice based on experience. Their presence was invaluable." With the tie levelled at 1-1, the tension mounted. Datuk Foo Kok Keong won the second singles by stunning 1992 Olympic champion Alan Budi Kusuma 15-6, 15-12 to put Malaysia ahead 2-1. The tie came down to the second men's doubles match — and Soon Kit-Beng Kiang delivered the winning point. Kwan Yoke Meng lost the third men's singles match to Joko Suprianto for a final 3-2 score, but that result was irrelevant as Malaysians of all walks of life were already celebrating long before the final match began. "The most unforgettable moment was when Soon Kit-Beng Kiang won the last point," said Rashid, smiling at the memory. "We just rushed onto the court — pure emotion. We lifted them onto our shoulders. "In that moment, all of us celebrating together is what I hold dearest. It was a victory for every Malaysian." That sense of unity is what Sentuhan Wira aims to capture. After years of shelved plans, Rashid believes the timing for the movie is finally right. "This film shows how sport can unite us," he said. "When there's a big match, Malays, Chinese, Indians — everyone supports Malaysia. All our differences disappear. That's the power of sport." Rashid's role in the film is not just advisory. He is ensuring authenticity, from the technical badminton scenes to the emotional dynamics behind the scenes. He hopes the film reminds young athletes of what it truly means to wear the national jersey. "A career in sport is a profession, and yes, financial stability matters. But we must not forget the bigger picture. Wearing the Malaysia jersey is an honour, not a right." Looking at Malaysia's current prospects, Rashid remains optimistic. "Our team today is not weak. We have two world-class doubles pairs. If we can develop two consistent singles players to match, we'll be in a strong position. China, Indonesia, Japan — they are good, but not unbeatable. Malaysia has a chance." Sentuhan Wira is more than a sports biopic. It is a time capsule, a history lesson, and a rallying cry. Rashid hopes it can recreate the goosebumps he and his teammates felt when Negaraku echoed through Stadium Negara. "When you hear the anthem on the podium, you feel immense pride," he said. "You realise you're not playing for yourself, but for millions. That's the feeling we want this film to give every Malaysian." Rashid hopes that the story of a band of brothers who dreamed big in 1992 will do more than just entertain — it will inspire a new generation to chase their dreams and serve their nation with heart. Sentuhan Wira, translated as "Touch of heroes", is literally a smash movie, with all that raw emotion and action on the court. It will begin production later this year.


New Straits Times
an hour ago
- New Straits Times
Seine reopens to Paris swimmers after century-long ban
PARIS: The River Seine reopened to swimmers this morning in Paris, allowing people to take a dip in the French capital's iconic waterway for the first time since 1923. Parisians and visitors looking to cool off this summer can dive in -- weather permitting -- at three bathing sites, including one a stone's throw from the Eiffel Tower. A few dozen people arrived ahead of the 8am opening on Saturday at the Bras Marie zone in the city's historic centre, diving into the water for the long-awaited moment under the watchful eyes of lifeguards wearing fluorescent yellow T-shirts and carrying whistles. The seasonal opening of the Seine for swimming is seen as a key legacy of the Paris 2024 Olympics, when open water swimmers and triathletes competed in its waters which were specially cleaned for the event. The swimming zones are equipped with changing rooms, showers, and beach-style furniture, offering space for 150 to 300 people to relax, lay out their towels, and unwind from the city's hustle and bustle. Paris officials say they have taken several measures to ensure swimmers can safely enjoy the long-anticipated reopening, including daily water pollution testing and implementing a swim test for bathers. "It's a childhood dream to have people swimming in the Seine," said Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo, who visited the bras Marie site this morning. But officials reminded swimmers of potential dangers, including strong currents, boat traffic, and an average depth of 3.5m. "The Seine remains a dangerous environment," said local official Elise Lavielle earlier this week. To mitigate that risk, lifeguards will assess visitors' swimming abilities before allowing independent access, while a decree issued in late June introduced fines for anyone swimming outside designated areas. The promise to lift the swimming ban dates back to 1988, when then-mayor of Paris and future president Jacques Chirac first advocated for its reversal, around 65 years after the practice was banned in 1923. "One of my predecessors (Chirac), then mayor of Paris, dreamed of a Seine where everyone could swim," President Emmanuel Macron wrote on X, describing the move as the result of a "collective effort" and a moment of "pride" for France. Ahead of the Olympic Games, authorities invested US$1.6 billion to improve the Seine's water quality. Since then, work carried out upstream, including 2,000 new connections to the sewage system, promises even better water quality -- with one catch. On rainy days, the mid-19th-century Parisian sewage system often overflows, causing rain and waste waters to pour into the river. Flags will inform bathers about pollution levels in the water every day, and if it rains, the sites will likely close the day after, said Paris city official Pierre Rabadan. The presence of the faecal bacteria Escherichia coli (E. coli) and enterococci in the Seine will be assessed daily using live sensors and samples. Swimmers may be in luck this year, though, with weather predicted to be drier than the record rainfall during the Games, which had led to the cancellation of six of the 11 competitions held on the river. The French capital during the week endured a major heatwave that saw Paris put on the weather agency's highest alert level during a Europe-wide heatwave. Hidalgo, who took the inaugural swim last year, said that cleaning up the Seine for the Olympics was not the final goal but part of a broader effort to adapt the city to climate change and enhance quality of life. With record-breaking temperatures hitting Europe, including France's second warmest June since records began in 1900, authorities said they expect Parisians to embrace the relief of a refreshing swim. The swimming spots will be open until Aug 31. — AFP


Borneo Post
2 hours ago
- Borneo Post
No cause for alarm over Zii Jia, says NSC chief
Lee Zii Jia is seen in action against during the Paris 2024 Olympics men's singles badminton event at the Porte De La Chapelle Arena in Paris August 5, 2024. — Bernama photo KUALA LUMPUR (July 5): The National Sports Council (NSC) says there is nothing to worry about the 'strange' actions of professional singles shuttler Lee Zii Jia, which raised questions after he shared several mysterious sketches on social media yesterday. NSC director-general Jefri Ngadirin said the council as well as Minister of Youth and Sports Hannah Yeoh had contacted Lee Zii Jia's team (Team LZJ) to ascertain why the player is behaving in such a startling manner. The mysterious posts (apparently of disturbing images including a stitched-up figure holding a blood-stained needle) by Zii Jia has now attracted more than 131,000 likes and more than 3,000 comments, thus raising speculation about the meaning behind his sharing, including allegations that the 27-year-old may be facing personal or mental health problems or an internal crisis. 'They (Team LZJ) informed that there is nothing to worry about Zii Jia. Maybe Zii Jia out of curiosity and so on, posted the pictures, or he is interested in that kind of art. 'However, we are always open to help if his team needs help from NSC or the National Sports Institute (ISN),' Jefri said at the 2025 Athletes' Day programme held at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium here today. Jeffri at the same time rejected claims by some parties that the Kedah-born athlete is suffering from depression, besides insisting that NSC would continue to communicate with Team LZJ. 'His team and friends also do not see any indication that he has any mental or personal problems. 'In today's generation, they might like that kind of art, right? So, let him express himself,' he said. Zii Jia, currently ranked 27th in the world, is expected to return to action at the Japan Open, which will take place from July 15-20. His ranking slipped outside the world's top 20, having only played in two tournaments this year after injuring his right ankle at the World Tour Finals in December. – Bernama badminton Lee Zii Jia national sports council social media