Boon Heong happy to help fellow professionals achieve their dreams.

Boon Heong ready to help ex-nationals to reach greater heights

PETALING JAYA: Former international Tan Boon Heong’s (pic) hopes of qualifying for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games is over, but it will not stop him from helping other independent shuttlers realise their Olympic dreams.

For a start, the 31-year-old has stepped in to spar with the newly-turned professional quartet – Tan Wee Kiong, Goh V Shem, Chan Peng Soon and Goh Liu Ying – in their preparation for the Tokyo Games.

The former All- England champion said the four shuttlers and another former international Lim Khim Wah joined him for a training session in Sri Petaling on Friday.

“We had our first training together yesterday, it was fun,” said Boon Heong, who won the 2007 All-England title with Koo Kien Keat.

“The four have yet to decide on their training programme, so we’re helping out as sparring partners.

“I’m not sure how long this joint-training session will last, but I’ll assist them as long as they need me.

“It’ll benefit me too as I need top-quality sparring sessions.”

Boon Heong is still playing in the international circuit with Kim Sa-rang of South Korea, but they can’t qualify for the Olympics.

Having left the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) in 2015, Boon Heong supported the move of his former teammates to leave the national stable.

“I left three years ago under the same circumstances. I believe they left because the association continued to hint that their times were up and wanted to focus on the younger players,” said Boon Heong.

“The players have done the right thing. An under- pressure environment and fresh approach may just be what these two pairs need to re-establish themselves as top contenders.

“When they are on their own, they’ll be fired up to do even better,” added Boon Heong, who also won the 2006 Doha Asian Games gold and scaled the world No. 1 spot with Kien Keat.

Although without a regular partner, Boon Heong said he continued playing because of his love for the sport.

“I would not have done it differently even if I get a chance to turn back time. I’ve no regrets leaving BAM,” he said.

“I’m still motivated because it’s still rewarding to play professional badminton.

“There are many opportunities and money up for grabs out there on the World Tour and leagues.”

On why he did not attempt to qualify for the Tokyo 2020, he said: “I would have given it a shot if I could find a partner. There’s no one. I didn’t pick Khim Wah because our playing styles are different.”

Boon Heong will resume his partnership with Sa-rang at the Swiss and German Opens next month.

The duo have played only two tournaments together last year and impressed by reaching the semi-finals of the Korean Masters last month.