PETALING JAYA: Veteran independent men’s doubles shuttler Tan Wee Kiong is enjoying his playing stint with Sena Bangkok Club in the ongoing Senheng RedOne Purple League Professional.
Wee Kiong is representing the Thai team for the first time after appearing for Muar City Badminton Club in the previous editions.
“I was approached by Sena to play for them and was happy to get this opportunity. It has been fun to play for another team in the Purple League. Its a different experience for me,” said Wee Kiong.
He had partnered Thai shuttler Kittisak Namdash and made two appearances in the group stages against Serdang Badminton Club and Puchong United Badminton Club.
Wee Kiong and Kittisak had collected one win against Serdang’s Boon Xin Yuan-Wong Tien Ci but lost out narrowly to Puchong’s Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi.
“We didn’t get any time to train together before the tournament but Kittisak is a good player and partner. He couldn’t play for quite a long time but still managed to maintain a high-level of badminton,” said Wee Kiong.
Wee Kiong is gearing up for today’s semi-finals against Petaling Badminton Club.
Meanwhile, the Rio Olympics silver medallist is hoping for a breakthrough with Tan Kian Meng.
Wee Kiong-Kian Meng, who are currently ranked 49th in the world, have yet to get past the early rounds in any tournaments since forming a partnership last year.
“I hope to win more matches with Kian Meng. I’m looking for a breakthrough with him. Reaching the quarter-finals in any of our upcoming tournaments will be a good start for us,” said Wee Kiong.
Wee Kiong-Kian Meng will be competing in three back-to-back tournaments in Europe - the Denmark Open (Oct 18-23), French Open (Oct 25-30) and Hylo Open (Nov 1-6).
In Denmark, the pair face a tough opening round match against South Korea’s world No. 21 Choi Sol-gyu-Kim Won-ho.
