National hockey player: Chua Boon Huat. The year 2009 was his worst as he was dropped from the national team. After 12 years of faithful services many would have forgiven him if he had walked away from the national hockey scene.
Not Boon Huat. He went into business (a burger shop in Kuantan) and also took up coaching (Pahang Sukma team) and all the time biding his time and playing top level hockey at domestic level with the Kuala Lumpur Hockey Club. He won three Malaysia Hockey League double titles from 2010 to 2012.
His domestic form paid off and last year new coach Paul Revington recalled him to the team and the ever smiling Boon Huat was back in the squad as a regular and was scheduled to play a key role in the Asia Cup scheduled to be held in Ipoh from Aug 24-Sept 1.
In a recent interview Boon Huat said about his recall: “I came back to international hockey for two reasons. The first was because I know that I can still contribute and help the country, and secondly, the new coach (Revington) knows what I can offer to the team. In hockey, or in any team sport, it’s got nothing to do with being youthful or a veteran if one does not contribute. The younger players may have speed, but those who have seen action at my level know what it takes to turn a match around.
“The mix of youth and senior players is what makes a perfect team,” he had said, which was also his last interview.
A lovable person, quiet and unassuming, hard worker, leader, and teacher (took up coaching after 2009) and more importantly a good friend as many would attest.
It is such a pity and a great loss. To his family we can only offer our sincere condolences but it will never take away the pain they will feel over their loss.
The nation grieves with them.
Not Boon Huat. He went into business (a burger shop in Kuantan) and also took up coaching (Pahang Sukma team) and all the time biding his time and playing top level hockey at domestic level with the Kuala Lumpur Hockey Club. He won three Malaysia Hockey League double titles from 2010 to 2012.
His domestic form paid off and last year new coach Paul Revington recalled him to the team and the ever smiling Boon Huat was back in the squad as a regular and was scheduled to play a key role in the Asia Cup scheduled to be held in Ipoh from Aug 24-Sept 1.
In a recent interview Boon Huat said about his recall: “I came back to international hockey for two reasons. The first was because I know that I can still contribute and help the country, and secondly, the new coach (Revington) knows what I can offer to the team. In hockey, or in any team sport, it’s got nothing to do with being youthful or a veteran if one does not contribute. The younger players may have speed, but those who have seen action at my level know what it takes to turn a match around.
“The mix of youth and senior players is what makes a perfect team,” he had said, which was also his last interview.
A lovable person, quiet and unassuming, hard worker, leader, and teacher (took up coaching after 2009) and more importantly a good friend as many would attest.
It is such a pity and a great loss. To his family we can only offer our sincere condolences but it will never take away the pain they will feel over their loss.
The nation grieves with them.
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