KUALA LUMPUR: Former world No 1 and Asian Games gold medallist Tan Boon Heong wants to give back to society.
The 35-year-old former men's doubles shuttler told the press today that he wants to do his part for the community after coming up the hard way.
Boon Heong, who runs the TBH Badminton Academy in Kepong, received a total of RM320,000 in sponsorship deals from Edutech, Aik Cheong and Li Ning today, intends to use the funds to kick-start a grassroots initiative nationwide next year.
"When I started playing, I remember how difficult it was because I couldn't afford to pay my training fees.
"But look at Malaysian badminton today. Everybody is playing it and I believe it is only good to encourage more to play it.
"We still haven't won the elusive Olympic gold medal, and the Thomas Cup in a while, so I want to do my part.
"The plan is to have a training camp in every state next year. We will provide the courts, shuttles and even attire, for kids, as well as social players. My academy will assist with the coaching expertise," said Boon Heong, who rose to fame in 2006 when he bagged the men's doubles gold with Koo Kien Keat.
Meanwhile, the Kedah-born Boon Heong pointed out that national women's doubles Pearly Tan-M.Thinaah did not crash out of the World Tour Finals in Bangkok after sparring with him.
"Many said to me that I was the cause of Pearly-Thinaah's exit from the World Tour Finals.
"I want to be clear, I was not there (Academy Badminton Malaysia) to coach them, but as agreed with coach Rexy (Mainaky), I was only there to spar with them.
"I shared my experience with them, but they know that it might not suit their style. If it suited them, then good.
"In tournaments, it's sometimes like this. If you can't recover in time or turn things around, it's difficult. I hope they will come back and be ready in time for the Malaysia Open," added Boon Heong, who is also a prominent figure on social media.