Interview by Jan Lin/Red Sports. Pictures by Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports.
One of Singapore’s most promising young badminton players, 19-year-old Derek Wong, may have crashed out in the qualifying round of the 2008 Singapore Badminton Open yesterday, but this has not stop his parents, former national champions Mr Wong Shoon Keat and Mrs Irene Wong, from believing in their son.
The Montfort Secondary School graduate is currently serving his National Service with the police force, while Mr and Mrs Wong are currently the most prominent badminton coaches in the school sports’ scene. The family’s commitment to the sport is evidently second to none. In fact, the family has been traveling regionally to lend their support to Derek at international championships.
Red Sports caught up with Mrs Irene Wong, who was seen cheering her son on at the 2008 Singapore Badminton Open qualifying round yesterday.
Red Sports: How did Derek get into badminton?
Irene Wong: We didn’t force him into it, we just encouraged him to pick it up. We brought him along to play with us when he was about 8 and he enjoyed it. For him to be now playing at this level is not easy. He has to have the love and passion for the game. He is very, very focused. All his free time is strictly focused on badminton at the moment.
Red Sports: What do you think is important for young players like Derek to bring their game to the next level and move forward in his professional career as a badminton player?
Irene Wong: A lot of good sparring, like with Kendrick and Ronald. Training has to be definitely full-force and with ample rest. Derek is quite lucky now that he gets to be released from the NS’ police force to train now and then, but he doesn’t get the opportunity to rest as he has to go straight back to work after training. He is definitely not having enough training due to NS. Most of the current full-time players are playing and competing a lot more than he is at the moment.
Red Sports: What are your plans and goals for Derek?
Irene Wong: If he can, the SEA Games gold medal and maybe one of these days, world champion. Since he is putting so much of his time into it. And hopefully he can make it to the Olympics in 4 years or 10 years?
If he can do well, we are all out for him. We are definitely happy for him to play full-time. The standard is very, very high now, the overall standard has gone up a lot higher. He will need a lot a lot of hard work. But both Mr Wong and myself are very supportive of him playing badminton professionally.
We will be supporting him in Thailand for the coming Thailand Open. Mr Wong, myself, Shawn (Derek’s elder brother) and maybe his grandmother will be there. We will spend 3 to 4 days there primarily to support him. We were in Malaysia last month to support him too, at the Badminton Asian Championship.
Red Sports: How does being supportive parents actually help a young professional athlete like Derek?
Irene Wong: I believe support gives him (Derek) a lot of motivation and encouragement. The only thing we are worried is it gives him a lot of pressure too. We try not to give him that pressure. I believe in encouragement.
If parents are not supportive, it is very difficult for the child to bring up their standard of the game. Parents will need to encourage their children to go for training, that is what the child needs to improve, training and more training, nothing but training.
Parental support is very, very important. If their parents are behind them, then they will be given more time to go for training. Guidance of the coach is also very important, they will have to encourage them to study as well, otherwise it is very easy for a youth athlete to stray.
Red Sports: Why do you think not many parents are as supportive of their child in becoming a professional athlete?
Irene Wong: Maybe because it is difficult to do well. Perhaps because both Mr Wong and myself were players before so we know what is it like. Most parents just want their child to study, study, study. Even for the primary school children I’m coaching! Without parental support, it is very, very difficult.
Red Sports: Finally, what will you tell other parents?
Irene Wong: I believe in balance. Studies are just as important but it is important to balance it out with their sports training. Sports training also helps a lot in character development, it gives them strong focus, discipline and mental strength.
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