PETALING JAYA: National doubles shuttler Choong Tan Fook wants to become a coach after his playing career is over. And it could happen soon if he does not rise to the occasion at the All-England.
Tan Fook’s future as a player will be decided after he and partner Lee Wan Wah feature in the back-to-back All-England from March 6-11 and the Swiss Open from March 13-18.
Coach Rexy Mainaky has made it clear that he is more concerned with their performance at the All-England.
Tan Fook, who was down with a stomach ailment at the Korean Open, is determined to stay on as a player.
In fact, the 32-year-old wants to win the All-England title after having twice finished as runner-up.
Tan Fook said he was back in top form after conceding a walkover to Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong in the quarter-finals of the Korean Open.
''That was not a serious problem. I just did not want to make matters worse. I was already thinking of the All-England then. I have gone through rehabilitation and I am feeling good,'' said Tan Fook.
Tan Fook and Wan Wah are struggling to make headway in the international scene after their below par performances at the World Championships in Madrid in September. Then, they went down to Indonesian Markis Kido-Hendra Setiawan in the third round.
The duo were dropped from the Asian Games squad to accommodate the youngsters. And youngsters Kien Keat-Boon Heong obliged by going all the way to win a gold – a first in 36 years for the country.
In the Malaysian Open, the world number four went down to unheralded Simon Mollyhus-Anders Kristiansen of Denmark in the first round.
Tan Fook has taken much of the blame for the veterans’ poor performances of late but he is fighting back.
''I am determined to show better fighting spirit. I know what is at stake if Wan Wah and I do not start doing well. For now, I do not want to think of the consequences. My mind is only focused on doing well at the All-England now,'' he said.
Whatever the outcome, Tan Fook plans to remain in the world of badminton.
''I want to be a coach in the future. There will be no worries even if I leave the national team. The youngsters have made progress and we have talents right from the BJSS (Bukit Jalil Sports School).''
Before Tan Fook joined the national team in 1996, his sister Mee Leng and brother Kee Cheong were in the national team. His brother Kee Cheong is now a coach at BJSS.
''Badminton is in my blood. In fact, it runs in the family. I am sure that I will be involved in it for a long time.''
For the record, Malaysia have not won the All-England since the Sidek brothers – Razif-Jalani – managed it in 1982.(thestar.com.my)
Tan Fook’s future as a player will be decided after he and partner Lee Wan Wah feature in the back-to-back All-England from March 6-11 and the Swiss Open from March 13-18.
Coach Rexy Mainaky has made it clear that he is more concerned with their performance at the All-England.
Tan Fook, who was down with a stomach ailment at the Korean Open, is determined to stay on as a player.
In fact, the 32-year-old wants to win the All-England title after having twice finished as runner-up.
Tan Fook said he was back in top form after conceding a walkover to Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong in the quarter-finals of the Korean Open.
''That was not a serious problem. I just did not want to make matters worse. I was already thinking of the All-England then. I have gone through rehabilitation and I am feeling good,'' said Tan Fook.
Tan Fook and Wan Wah are struggling to make headway in the international scene after their below par performances at the World Championships in Madrid in September. Then, they went down to Indonesian Markis Kido-Hendra Setiawan in the third round.
The duo were dropped from the Asian Games squad to accommodate the youngsters. And youngsters Kien Keat-Boon Heong obliged by going all the way to win a gold – a first in 36 years for the country.
In the Malaysian Open, the world number four went down to unheralded Simon Mollyhus-Anders Kristiansen of Denmark in the first round.
Tan Fook has taken much of the blame for the veterans’ poor performances of late but he is fighting back.
''I am determined to show better fighting spirit. I know what is at stake if Wan Wah and I do not start doing well. For now, I do not want to think of the consequences. My mind is only focused on doing well at the All-England now,'' he said.
Whatever the outcome, Tan Fook plans to remain in the world of badminton.
''I want to be a coach in the future. There will be no worries even if I leave the national team. The youngsters have made progress and we have talents right from the BJSS (Bukit Jalil Sports School).''
Before Tan Fook joined the national team in 1996, his sister Mee Leng and brother Kee Cheong were in the national team. His brother Kee Cheong is now a coach at BJSS.
''Badminton is in my blood. In fact, it runs in the family. I am sure that I will be involved in it for a long time.''
For the record, Malaysia have not won the All-England since the Sidek brothers – Razif-Jalani – managed it in 1982.(thestar.com.my)
