Andrea thrilled to bits over debut for national team

PETALING JAYA: Rising squash player Andrea Lee is thrilled to finally represent Malaysia in a team event.

The 17-year-old will make her debut in the World Junior Championships, which starts from July 26-Aug 4 in Eindhoven, Holland.

Andrea bagged the Under-17 title at the Pontefract Junior Open in England in January and followed it up with the National Schools (MSSM) and Malaysian Junior Open titles in March and June.

She is expected to add more balance to the team that will also feature Zoe Foo, S. Sivasangari and Nazihah Hanis in Eindhoven.

“I didn’t play in the Asian Junior Team Championships (which Malaysia won) in February because I skipped the trials to focus on the British Junior Open,” explained Andrea.

“I also missed the World Juniors in Namibia last year due to the Ebola outbreak. That’s why I’m really excited to be finally competing in the world junior meet and to play in a team event for Malaysia.

“It will be a tough tournament though, because teams like the US and Egypt are very strong. I played against Egypt’s Habiba Mohamed in the British Juniors in January ... she’s very strong.

“Still, I’m hoping to put up a good performance with Zoe and Sivasangari. Hopefully, we’ll do well in the team meet.”

Malaysia finished sixth in the team meet two years ago and the Squash Racquets Association of Malaysia (SRAM) are expecting a better result this time.

In the individual event, world No. 129 Andrea has a first-round bye and will begin her challenge against either Henrietta Huuhka of Finland or Samantha Calvert of Australia.