KUALA LUMPUR: China’s Li Mao is back in Malaysia as a coach but he is not with former employers the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM).

Li Mao has joined the New Vision badminton club in Petaling Jaya and he will be working with the top shuttlers from the centre, co-owned by former internationals Yeoh Kay Bin and K. Yogendran.

The no-nonsense Li Mao is a good catch. Under his guidance from 2005-2010, the current world No. 1 Lee Chong Wei showed marked improvement in his skills and tactical game.

In fact, it was during this time that Chong Wei narrowed the gap on his nemesis Lin Dan of China.

After leaving Malaysia, Li Mao went to South Korea and improved the standard of their men’s singles players.

Then in 2011, he was appointed as a coach in Indonesia.

He, however, failed to lift the standard there and his contract was not renewed after the London Olympic Games.

Kay Bin said Li Mao’s appointment was made possible by Kawasaki, the club’s sponsor.

“This is good for the club as we have a very high calibre coach. He will be coaching our top players and help raise their standard,” added Kay Bin, who is also one of the coaches at the club with Yogendran.