Durian boy to tennis lover – Johnson pens his story in autobiography

One for the album: Former Tennis Malaysia vice-president Johnson Koh (second from right) and Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh posing for a photograph during the launching ceremony of his autobiography.

PETALING JAYA: It is only right that a man who has dedicated almost his entire life to tennis comes out with his own autobiography.

After five years of work, former Tennis Malaysia vice-president Johnson Koh unveiled his autobiography “Durian Boy to Tennis Great: Journey of Johnson Koh Yong Siang (BSK)” in Sandakan.

Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh officiated the launch at the Sandakan District Tennis Association (SDTA) over the weekend.

Johnson, who moved from Johor to Sandakan in 1980, said the book captured his lifelong involvement in the sport – from his humble beginnings as a “kampung durian boy” to becoming a national champion and a central figure in Sabah’s tennis scene.

“The book took me five years to complete,” said Johnson.

“I’ve compiled years of photos, articles and memories to complete the project, and the book was only made possible thanks to a close friend’s sponsorship,” said Johnson, who served as Sabah Tennis Association’s (STA) president for 17 years.

Johnson is not taking any money from the sale of the book, as he has decided that the proceeds will go towards grassroots tennis development, particularly the Sandakan Tennis junior coaching fund.

“The proceeds from the first 100 copies will go to the Sandakan Tennis Junior Coaching Fund,” he said.

“I started coaching in Sandakan, and my aim has always been to provide free coaching for school kids here and it’s the slogan I’ve lived by for the last 45 years,” he said.

Those who donate RM150 or more will receive a copy of the book.

Copies will also be donated to state, district, and university libraries across Sabah.

Additional proceeds will support tennis and sports-related initiatives in Sandakan.

“I began as a ‘kampong durian boy’ and have progressed to what I am today. My contributions to tennis have been my whole life, so I hope this book will also help tennis and sports in some ways,” said Johnson, who is also state association’s patron and life member.

Apart from officiating the book launch, Hannah also handed over five newly resurfaced tennis courts to the state.

“This is a historic day as SDTA has never been visited by a federal minister,” he added.