Tan will stay up to spar
Boon Heong rules out coaching as he continues to help doubles
PETALING JAYA: Tan Boon Heong has no intention of becoming a coach in the near future but the doubles ace doesn’t mind continuing as a sparring partner with the national doubles department.
Boon Heong, a former world No. 1 and Asian Games men’s doubles gold medallist with Koo Kien Keat, had answered the call by his ex-coach Rexy Mainaky to spar with top women’s doubles pair Pearly Tan-m. Thinaah.
The national doubles coaching director’s offer was one that Boon Heong could not refuse and it was also seen as a chance for the 35-yearold to share his knowledge and experience as a player.
The arrangement has also been very flexible where Boon Heong can decide on his sparring sessions and the player is happy with the arrangement that gives him the freedom to work without red tape.
“I have no intention of becoming a coach but I like to offer my service as a sparring partner as long as I have the fitness to match the national players,” said Boon Heong.
“Coaching is a different thing altogether as you need to come up with programmes and have to plan everything from training to tournaments.
“I prefer sparring with the players where I can help them progress as I can give them tips and tactics while playing.
“If my knowledge and experience are valuable enough for the players, I don’t mind sharing but I don’t impose them on any one.
“Different players have different styles and approaches, so what I did during my playing days may not be suitable for some.”
Boon Heong also added that it was too early for him to comment on the current level of Pearlythinaah or other pairs that he has been sparring with as yesterday’s session was only his third with the national team.
He had his first session on Oct 15 prior to the national players’ participation at the Denmark and French Opens while the second session was last week.
“I was able to get only three sessions so far and it is too early to say anything about their current level. I have sparred with the men’s doubles and today (yesterday), I had a short session with Pearly and Thinaah,” added Boon Heong, who also runs his own academy (TBH Academy) in Kuala Lumpur.
“I will be joining them once a week but if my time permits, I don’t mind sparring for two or three days a week.”
Rexy is also happy to see his charges benefitting from sparring with Boon Heong.
“He still has got his touches and it is for the players to gain from his sparring and also learn from him. It is also good for us as he could be our third eye in identifying the players’ shortcomings and give some feedback in helping them progress,” said Rexy.
“He is allowed to come in to spar whenever he is free. All he needs to do is inform me a day earlier so that we can plan.”
The arrangement has been working and Boon Heong is proving to be another tool to improve the doubles department.