Malaysia to send smaller squad for Asian junior meet

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia are set to send a smaller squad to the Asian Junior Squash Championships in Amman, Jordan, in August.

This is because the Asian Juniors, from Aug 15-19, are too close to the KL SEA Games (Aug 19-30).

This means that those selected for the SEA Games – like S. Sivasangari, Andrea Lee, Zoe Foo, Chan Yiwen, Ooi Kah Yan, Aifa Azman, Lai Wen Li (girls); Darren Rahul Pragasam and Ong Sai Hung (boys) – will all miss the Asian Juniors.

This is certainly a big loss for Malaysia as world No. 60 Sivasangari is the girls’ Under-19 defending champion.

Yiwen, Kah Yan and 15-year-old Aifa would have also been top contenders in the Under-17 category.

In their absence, Malaysia will bank on Siow Yee Xian, Mohd Hafiz Zhafir and Danial Nurhaqiem for glory in the boys’ Under-17 category.

Sabahan Jessica Keng is also a strong bet for the girls’ Under-15 title while 12-year-old Aira Azman is the girls’ Under-13 defending champion.

“We will certainly miss out on the girls’ Under17 and Under-19 titles,” said Squash Racquets Association of Malaysia (SRAM) director Mejar (Rtd) S. Maniam.

“It’s a good opportunity for the other juniors to step up,” he said.

“The SEA Games is our focus now.

“We’ll make a strong comeback at next year’s Asian Juniors.”

Malaysia have always emerged as big winners at the Asian Juniors, winning six titles in 2015, five in 2013 and four last year.