Tan Boon Heong taking a photo with the winners of the TBH Badminton Academy Championships. — AZLINA ABDULLAH/The Star
KEPONG: Former shuttler Tan Boon Heong believes badminton academies in the country have to play a bigger role in nurturing young talents as only players aged 16 and above will be included in the national programme starting next year.
The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) made the ruling recently to allow younger players more time to live with their families and develop in their respective states and academies.
Boon Heong himself is out to play his part in searching and developing young, budding shuttlers through his academy (TBH Badminton Academy).
“The new rule by BAM is a good move as players, who are aged 16 and above will be more matured and ready to join the national programme,” said Boon Heong at the final of the TBH Badminton Academy Championship in Kepong yesterday.
“I joined BAM when I was 15 while there were many others, who were 13 when they joined and sometimes they feel it’s too early.
“So, now more youngsters will be training in state academies.“The 14 to 16 years is a very important phase in a player’s development. So, academies play a big role in shaping a player’s career.
“I hope to look for more talents and help develop the players in my academy,” added Boon Heong.
Boon Heong had opened his academy in Kepong in 2016 before setting up branches in Puchong, Petaling Jaya, Subang Jaya, Semenyih and Kota Damansara.
“There are about 400 youngsters currently training with more than 10 coaches in my academy,” said Boon Heong.
“This (TBH Badminton Academy Championship) is the first tournament that I organised in my academy and the response was good.
“There were about 650 participants and I hope to hold more tournaments next year.
“When I was younger, I never got the opportunity to compete in tournaments like this, so I want to give the youngsters a platform to showcase their talents.
“My hope is for them to grow to become champions in the future.”
