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CharactorSketch CharacterSketch

Riding The Highs >> As a former national player and coach of the National Men’s Basketball Team, the multi-faceted Neo Beng Siang has lived through over two decades of the local basketball scene. He tells Joy-Anne Tan about himself, his team and what really matters.

And Lows

56 draw&dish Jan’06

CharacterSketch How did you get into the game?

I picked up the sport for fun when I was in secondary two and was selected to be in the school team during the trials.

Before coaching the national team, you were playing for the country too. How long were you playing in the team?

I was selected to be a member of the National Youth Team in 1985 and played for the National Team from 1989-95. I was called back to the team in 1998 and participated in the SEA Games in 1999.

Why did you step down in 1999 after the SEA Games?

I finally stepped down in 1999 because age was catching up on me.

From 1999-2005, how did you continue being involved in basketball?

Looking at the teams from the perspective of a coach, I can say that most of the players back then were able to commit themselves to come for training as compared to the 90s even though work commitments were not as flexible as today. The current team is also very hardworking, I’m not saying it isn’t.

How is the team going to move on after not being selected for the 2005 SEA Games?

The team will be taking a month long break and gather to resume training sometime in November 2005 to prepare for an upcoming international invitational tournament in March 2006.

Can you single out any positive influences on the players since you took over as national coach?

I was coaching clubs and continued to play in local tournaments such as the BAS NBL League.

I try to encourage the team players as much as I can whenever I see them demoralised. I talk to them one by one and see what is happening and help out from there.

What made you decide to go into coaching?

How do you juggle coaching and managing your family business?

I was at the age where it was challenging for me to continue playing competitive basketball internationally. At the end of 1999, Home United approached me to coach them and so I decided to go for it. I felt happy working with them.

I am fortunate to have a very supportive wife helping out in the family business.

As for my own club, Wing Tat Hornets, I have a successor to help out so that I can focus on coaching the National Team.

What clubs have you coached?

Wing Tat Hornets and Home United.

How often does the National Team train?

What were the best years during your tenure as captain of the National Team?

Normally we train two days a week with more intensive training as the tournament approaches. About one month to the tournament, training intensifies to five days a week.

Throughout my coaching of the National Team, I am proud to say that attendance level has been 90 percent or above. This reflects a high level of commitment from the team players.

1993 was the best and most memorable to me because we had a very committed team of players.

What expectations do you have of the team?

What notable differences between the National Team back in 1993 and the current 2005 team?

I just want the team to reach their targets or goals set. During training, I expect them to be disciplined, focused and to possess a good and positive

How long have you been coaching the national team?

I have been coach of the national team since 2003, so it has been two years now.

attitude. On top of it all, commitment is most important as it helps to develop a high team morale.

Do you train on court together with the team?

It depends. I do train together with the team when I’m coaching on tactics.

Is there any time in your career you had to give up or compromise on anything?

I had to focus on thinking up the tactics and working out the strategies so I couldn’t play as much basketball as I would have liked to. I had to focus on my coaching. However, when I stepped down as a player I was prepared for the demands of coaching and I don’t see that as giving up of anything.

Any advice for up and coming players?

I hope the youngsters will look out for the senior players and set themselves targets to be national players if they can make it. Commitment and hard work is very important coupled with discipline and a good, positive attitude towards the game and oneself. These four main attributes are what every player should have.

How then will young players be able to look out for opportunities?

They should watch and take part in as many tournaments as they can and it would be good to have players whom they can look up to and emulate.

Commitment and hard work is very important coupled with discipline and a good, positive attitude towards the game and oneself.