Early son-shine for newly independent shuttler Peng Soon.

Son’s innocent query spurs Peng Soon to opening win

PETALING JAYA: Newly-turned independent shuttler Chan Peng Soon was stunned when his son Milton, 7, asked him if he has “changed jobs”.

As innocent as the question may seem, it certainly spurs the 30-yearold mixed doubles ace to work even harder to continue providing his family a quality life – now that he has left the national team to turn professional.

With that motivation, Peng Soon and partner Goh Liu Ying made a smashing start in their independent career yesterday when they took just 26 minutes to clear their first hurdle at the Thailand Masters in Bangkok.

They outplayed Tinn Isriyanet-Chasinee Korepap of Thailand 21-16, 21-10 to open their title defence in style.

Peng Soon said the recent conversation with his eldest child (of three) popped up just before the match yesterday.

“I’ve been busy recently as there were quite a number of things to be sorted after quitting the national team. So my wife (Cham May May) had to explain to Milton about it,” said Peng Soon.

“The boy, of course, was too young to understand and he’s curious. He came to me and asked, daddy, you changed job already?”

“Then I answered, no son, daddy’s still playing badminton and is still representing Malaysia.

“But the question did serve a reminder to me that I can no longer take anything for granted now. As a professional, it’s even more crucial to do well in tournaments because your prize money is now your main source of income.”

Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying have also received an early boost to their 2020 Tokyo Olympics bid after sign- ing a two-year deal with Li Ning as their equipment sponsors.

Youngsters Chen Tang Jie-Peck Yen Wei have also made it to the last 16 after downing Taiwan’s Lin Chiayu-Hsu Ya-ching 16-21, 21-12, 21-13.

The other national pair Hoo Pang Ron-Cheah Yee See went down fighting 20-22, 21-16, 13-21 to Thai sixth seeds Nipitphon Phuangphuapet-Savitree Amitrapai.