KALLANG: National tennis player Koay Hao Sheng will take on added responsibility as team captain for three major competitions Malaysia will be involved in this year - the Davis Cup, Billie Jean King Cup (BJKC) and also the Thailand Sea Games.
He will now serve as player-coach (playing captain) for the Davis Cup and the Sea Games, under the guidance of national head coach Mulyadi Jamal.
Hao Sheng has been a staple in the national team for roughly a decade now but has started coaching more seriously in recent seasons.
The 27-year-old is hoping to help accelerate the development of young Malaysian talent.
"I have agreed to help Tennis Malaysia (TM) and the offer (given) is for one year, until the end of the Thailand Sea Games in December," said Hao Sheng, when met during the Asics Regional Tennis Summit here today (Feb 2).
"We are expecting to host the BJKC (Asia-Oceania Group II) and Davis Cup (Asia-Oceania Group IV) competitions back-to-back in Kuala Lumpur some time in June or July. This is still being finalised.
"As captain I now come and coach the players and arrange for their training sessions at the National Tennis Centre, Jalan Duta every day.
"I believe we have a lot of promising young players such as Darrshan Kumar, 17, Aqil Rahiman, 15, Daania Hazli, 14, and Mak Zooey, 14, in the team.
"I hope to give them the added guidance they need and help them develop faster. They all played here at the Singapore Tennis Invitational Cup (STIC) and did well, it was good to give them experience in a senior international tournament."
Malaysia finished third in STIC, a mixed-team event, behind champions Singapore and Indonesia. The tournament concluded at the Kallang Tennis Hub yesterday.
Hao Sheng, who was unable to compete in the Davis Cup last year due to work commitments, believes that Malaysia has a good chance of earning promotion this year.
Malaysia suffered its worst-ever result in the competition last year when the national team finished last in their Asia-Oceania Group III group and were relegated to playing in Group IV this year, the lowest Malaysia has ever been.
"We need to finish in the top-two to be promoted but I think we have a good chance this year, especially if we are playing on home ground," said Hao Sheng.
"I think Philippines will likely be our main rival in the competition. They are also looking to work their way back up the divisions."
Hao Sheng, Elsa Wan and Darrshan, who are all sponsored by Asics, attended the Asics Regional Tenis Summit here today.
The event was held in conjunction with the regional launch of the new Asics Gel-Resolution X tennis shoe.
"I have been sponsored by Asics for a number of years now and have always felt comfortable using their apparel and shoes," said Hao Sheng.
"This latest shoe is lightweight yet remains very stable which gives me great confidence, especially when moving laterally.
"Some other brands also make light shoes but are not able to offer the same stability."
