Nicol to lead Malaysia’s charge at World Doubles
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s squash queen Datuk Nicol David will lead the national team to the World Doubles Championships to be held at the National Squash Centre in Manchester, on Aug 15.
The World Squash Federation (WSF) in a statement today noted that the 5th edition of the World Doubles Championships has attracted 12 countries including Malaysia and host nation, England. According to the statement, the championships would feature the men’s, women’s and mixed doubles events.
“A record 51 pairs will participate - comprising 17 men’s, 21 mixed and 13women’s- representing Australia, Canada, Colombia, England, India, Malaysia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Scotland, South Africa and Wales.
“Pairing details will be confirmed in July after the deadline for the final nominations, but 13 players from the current men’’ s and women’’s top 20 ranking lists are expected to compete - with England likely to be led by Laura Massaro, James Willstrop, Alison Waters, Daryl Selby and Sarah-Jane Perry, while Wales have Tesni Evans and Scotland have Alan Clyne as probable spearheads,” said the statement. Meanwhile, New Zealand appear strong with Joelle King and Paul Coll; Australia with Cameron Pilley and double Glasgow Commonwealth Games gold medallist David Palmer; India including 2014 Commonwealth Games gold medal pairing of Dipika Pallikal and Joshna Chinappa; and Malaysia with superstar Nicol David.
The 5 th World Double s Championships wil l provide ideal preparation both for the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia, where the doubles squash will be a feature of the Games for the sixth time since 1998, and also for the Pan American Games the following year.
For the record, on April 13, the Squash Racquet Association of Malaysia ( SRAM) had listed as Nicol partnering Rachel Arnold in the women’’s event, and the other pairs consisting of Mohd Nafiizwan Adnan-Ivan Yuen and Muhammad Syafiq Kamal-Ng Eain Yow in the men’s doubles.
In the mixed doubles event, Malaysia is banking on Rachel and Ivan. — Bernama