Beng Hee appointed US squash head coach

KUALA LUMPUR: Former Malaysian top men's squash player Ong Beng Hee has been appointed head coach of the United States Squash, replacing Paul Assaiante.

The two-time Asian gold medallist and former world number seven, who began his new role last week, is set to lead Team USA's pursuit of excellence from junior development to US Squash's High-Performance Programme (HPP) at the Arlen Specter US Squash Center in Philadelphia.

The 1998 World Junior champion had led the Qatar national squash programme for the past four years since retiring as a player in 2015.

"This is my biggest achievement as a coach, and to be leading the programme supported by the amazing facilities at the Specter Center is a dream come true for any coach in the world. I'm grateful to the Ganek family, US Squash and Assaiante.

"I have known coach Assaiante for years and look forward to continuing to work with him to help build a bigger and better programme," he said in a statement published on the US Squash website.

US Squash also announced that Assaiante will continue to serve in an emeritus role after a 13-year tenure as national head coach.

During his 17-year professional career, Beng Hee won 15 Professional Squash Association (PSA) titles and was consistently ranked among the world's best, including 31 months in the top 10 and nine years in the top 20.

The statement added that Beng Hee would work closely with Team USA's four top 25 ranked women's players based in Philadelphia - Amanda Sobhy, Olivia Blatchford Clyne, Sabrina Sobhy and Olivia Fiechter.

"The Specter Center creates a perfect environment for both the players and coaches, it's the best squash facility in the world. All of the US players are self-driven and motivated to achieve success at the highest level.

"I've come here to share my experience with them, but at the same time learn and grow together. It's very important that I'm constantly learning about our players' games and the modern game itself. We will do our best. I don't see why we can't challenge Egypt, the world number one, and I feel that we're not far away," Beng Hee said.

Meanwhile, world number six Amanda said Beng Hee's presence had given the athletes a huge boost of excitement and confidence, adding that it was a moment they've been looking forward to for a long time.

"I'm excited to learn from Beng Hee, someone who knows the mindset and training required at the highest level. I'm excited to pick his brain and have another perspective in my corner to develop my game.

"I hope having him here encourages more US players to want to be based at the center to work with Beng Hee and train with all of us. The environment is slowly coming together and we're all looking forward to the season ahead," she said.

-- BERNAMA