Jason Teh is aiming for a deeper run at the KFF Singapore Badminton Open after his first-round exit in 2022. -ST
SINGAPORE: Jason Teh’s story of determination and resilience en route to winning his first international title has made him the new face of Singapore badminton.
Following his exploits at the Thailand Masters on Feb 2, the 24-year-old will feature in a 10-minute short film – Countdown To The Open: Jason Teh – presented by Eagle Brand, which will premiere on YouTube in June.
The video, directed by Singapore Badminton Association (SBA) vice-president and fashion photographer David Tan, will feature the player’s preparations as he gears up for the May 27-June 1 KFF Singapore Badminton Open at the Indoor Stadium.
While Teh, whose men’s singles ranking has risen to a career-high 26th, is lapping up his new-found fame, he is also aware that it comes with a responsibility to his supporters and community.
Since his triumph in Bangkok, some critics on social media have taken issue with his tattoos, him smashing his racket after winning the final and his habit of staring at opponents after winning a point.
“Maybe it’s the way I look and how I’m in the zone during matches, but 100 per cent I never intend to disrespect my opponents,” Teh told the media at the Singapore Open launch at Parkroyal on Beach Road on Feb 19.
“Throwing the racket is not right, but I did it on the spur of the moment. I have not done that before, but I also have not been in that situation before. I was leading 17-14, and losing 18-19 after tapping into the net.
“I was thinking I was not meant to be a champion, and when I finally won, I needed to let out my emotions. I had lost seven finals before this. I think those who haven’t gone through this will not know how it feels.
“But I’m thankful for both the positive and negative comments. As long as they don’t attack my family, I’m okay.”
His fiancee, former Hong Kong doubles player Ng Wing Yung, added: “Only athletes and their families know what they have to go through.
“I could only encourage him not to give up, and that if he keeps working hard to create the opportunities, the win will come.
“As my parents and I watched his final on TV, we couldn’t even finish our lunch, and we were so happy and proud when he won.”
Teh is now busier with more interviews and commercial engagements, but he knows these are important not just for his profile, but also that of his sport.
He said: “It is important for young aspiring players to know they can make a living through sport.
“Hopefully, there will be more who pursue sport as a career and more sponsors will come on board to support local sport.”
On the court, his training load remains the same, but his mentality has improved. After embarking on the European swing at the German Open, Orleans Masters and All England Open in the coming weeks, Teh hopes to make a bigger impact at the Singapore Open, a Super 750 event, than his first-round exit in 2022.
He said: “The Thailand Masters may just be a Super 300 title and not a major championship, but it is an affirmation of my abilities.
“I won’t have the stress of not having won a final on my shoulders any more. I won’t be wondering when my first title is coming.
“I’m more confident and I trust myself more to be able to challenge the top seeds.”
At the press conference on Feb 19, Singapore Open organisers announced that the tournament’s prize purse has increased from US$850,000 (S$1.14 million) to US$1 million.
Karim Family Foundation returns as title sponsor for a third successive year, while JK Technology is also back as the presenting sponsor. Both entities, who have been supporters of Singapore badminton in athlete development, facilities and post-retirement options, among others, will contribute six-figure sums to the event.
As part of the SG60 celebrations, an SBS Transit No. 7 bus will be adorned with posters of local players, past winners and top international players who have previously competed at the Singapore Open. Fans will also get a chance to win seven pairs of season passes to the tournament by posting creative selfies with the bus on Instagram.
Early-bird tickets are priced at $90 to $400 (season) and $30 to $300 (daily) and they are available at Ticketmaster Singapore from March 15-21. Thereafter, season tickets will cost $100 to $450, while individual tickets will range from $40 to $330. - The Straits Times/ANN
