Ong Beng Hee
Qatar’s squash coach Ong Beng Hee yesterday said work is in progress to increase the player-base in the country and to scout for ‘exciting young’ talent like Abdulla Al Tamimi.
The Malaysian-born, who took over the mantle of Qatar coach last year, said the Qatar Tennis, Squash and Badminton Federation (QTSBF) has charted out a master-plan to promote squash among schoolchildren and teachers.
Al Tamimi, 24, won the Malaysian Open earlier this year. He remains Qatar’s top player, having appeared in dozens of tournaments around the world.
“We aim to reach out to all the schools in Qatar as we aim to use next year’s World Championship in Qatar as an opportunity to promote squash with much vigour,” Hee told The Peninsula in an exclusive chat.
“We aim to concentrate on the schools as we have realised that there are many students and schools which do not know much about squash. I feel it is very important to promote this game,” added the 38-year-old.
Hee retired from the game in 2015 and served for two years as coach of the Malaysian national team before moving to Qatar.
The Malaysian said QTSBF is focussed on increasing the number of squash players in Qatar.
“We want to attract more Qatari students to the game and that is our top priority. We are not a big sport like tennis, football or athletics so we need to do a lot of homework to promote and educate the students, the teachers and the general public,” Hee pointed out.
The plan, the Malaysian said, is to have more players like Al Tamimi representing Qatar at the top level.
“We went to hope have more players like Abdulla Al Tamimi playing at the highest level. Having Tamimi playing at the highest level is an advantage for us as the Qatari youngsters have someone of their own as an idol to emulate,” Hee, who once reached a career high ranking of World No.7, said.
Praising the rise of Al Tamimi on the PSA Tour circuit, who now is now ranked 23 in the world, Hee said: “To be among one of the top players from a small country like Qatar is quite an achievement. He has done an amazing job. We want him to break into the top-10, top-5 or may be the top ranked player at one point of point in the future.”
The national team coach - who won 11 Professional Squash Association Tour titles in 19 final appearances - said the newly-launched QTSBF Qatar Rail Squash Team League will serve as an ideal platform for the young players to showcase their talent and will help federation to identity talent and groom them for international challenges.
“The QTSBF Qatar Rail Squash Team League is one good thing which has happened for the game of squash and I am very thankful that Qatar Rail has come forward to support squash. This is a move which will help squash immensely in Qatar,” Hee, who won gold medals at two Asian Games in 2002 and 2006 besides four Asian Championships, said.
Explaining further, Hee said the QTSBF Qatar Rail Squash Team League format will keep the Qatari players focussed and hungry for success at the international level.
“We have six teams competing in the league. Each team comprises of six players, out of which one is a reserve players and we play matches once a week and we have ensured that the format is such that matches are played on equal footing - same age and ability,” he said.
“The top national players were not playing against each other frequently and we needed a competition and the league serves that purpose. We are trying to make it competitive and create some energy in the League,” Hee said.
“Next year we may invite more players from outside the Qatari community. This year we are focussed on the Aspire Academy trainees and our national team players,” Hee said.
