KUALA LUMPUR — Former national badminton coach Wong Tat Meng has expressed his gratitude to Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh and the National Sports Council (NSC) for their support as he continues his recovery in Australia following a motorcycle accident last month.
Posting from his hospital bed in Sydney today, the 58-year-old thanked Hannah and the NSC for their thoughtful gesture of sending flowers and well wishes, saying the encouragement has given him strength to keep pushing forward.
“I wanted coach Tat Meng to know he is not alone, not forgotten. And that Malaysia remembers his contribution to sports, and wants to see him back on his feet soon. A simple gift to lift his spirit,” Hannah briefly told Scoop when contacted.
Meanwhile, Tat Meng posted: “I am truly touched to receive such kindness and encouragement while continuing my recovery here in Australia.
“Your support gives me strength to stay positive and work hard towards a full recovery. I will do my best to get back on my feet and return stronger.”
Tat Meng has been undergoing treatment and rehabilitation after sustaining serious injuries in a crash along Putty Road in the Garland Valley region on Sept 7.
According to earlier updates from Roketto Badminton, where Tat Meng serves as coaching and programme director, he was hospitalised with multiple fractures and internal injuries but has since made steady progress.
The Sydney-based club shared that he has started eating soft food and begun light rehabilitation exercises with the help of medical staff. His positive outlook and determination, they said, have been inspiring to those around him.
Messages of support have poured in from the badminton community and his former players, with many describing Tat Meng as a mentor whose resilience reflects the same spirit he instilled in athletes throughout his career.
A former national player and coach, Tat Meng was instrumental in shaping the career of independent shuttler Lee Zii Jia, guiding him to Malaysia’s first Olympic men’s singles medal in eight years. Zii Jia won a bronze at the Paris 2024 Games.
Tat Meng’s contract with Zii Jia ended late last year, after which he relocated to Australia to continue coaching and pursue his passion for motorcycling – the same hobby that led to his accident.
Despite the setback, those close to him say he remains deeply connected to Malaysian badminton and continues to follow the national team’s progress closely. – October 24, 2025