KUALA LUMPUR – The inaugural Tan Boon Heong Academy Championship witnessed the participation of international talent this weekend, as foreign players from China, Australia, and Thailand, joined the badminton tournament held at the renowned academy in Kepong.
Organiser and former world men’s doubles top shuttler Boon Heong said he was surprised at the global interest in the event, adding that foreign players contacted him about possibly joining the tournament.
The championship, which unfolded over the weekend, attracted 650 participants, competing across various youth categories ranging in ages from eight to 16 years old.
Additionally, the tournament featured a ‘new talent’ category and seniors combined 70-year-old doubles category, showcasing its inclusivity and diverse appeal.
“I didn’t expect to get foreign participants, especially considering this is the first time our academy has organised a tournament.
“Players from China, Australia, and Thailand reached out to us after discovering the event through our social media account.
“This is good because our local talent now has the opportunity to gauge their skills against international payers and assess their level of play,” said Boon Heong.
The unexpected international participation added a layer of excitement and competitiveness to the championship, providing a valuable learning experience for local players.
Boon Heong, who formed a formidable duo with Koo Kien Keat, winning eight Superseries titles for Malaysia between 2007 and 2010, expressed his hope that the foreign players would return next year, further challenging and inspiring local shuttlers.
“When I planned this tournament, I expected players from my academy to compete against players from other local academies.
“The presence of overseas players, particularly from Australia and China, has raised the bar, allowing our local players to benefit from the high-level competition,” said the former All-England winner.
Despite facing sponsorship challenges, the 36-year-old expressed gratitude for the support he has managed to receive.
“Looking for sponsors was challenging because I wanted to give the best for the youngsters.
“Luckily, we had amazing sponsors stepping up to support this tournament. With an expenditure of around RM70,000 to organise this event, I’m thankful for their generous support,” he added. – December 17, 2023