Coach Ajaz believes US stint will prove useful for national set-up

PETALING JAYA: Pakistani coach Ajaz Azmat believes he has more to offer Malaysian squash in his second stint with the national setup.

The 39-year-old is back to bolster the Squash Racquets Association of Malaysia’s (SRAM) coaching stable two weeks ago after returning from a seven-year stint in the United States.

Ajaz had served as national coach from 2004- 2010 and his return could not have been more timely as SRAM are struggling to fill the void vacated by Raymond Arnold, Ong Beng Hee and Mika Monto.

Ajaz admitted that the lure of high-performance coaching was what drew him back to Malaysia.

“I certainly missed high-performance coaching. The experience I gained in the US will also come in useful, especially since I was based in New York which is the hub for squash there,” said Ajaz.

“The US junior circuit is growing in that area. Some top professionals like Ramy Ashour, Omar Mosaad (of Egypt) and Diego Elias (of Peru) also train there.

“I also want to prove that I’m good at delivering goals for SRAM and to the world of squash. I feel that I can do more for Malaysian squash this time.

“Last time I worked with Mohd Nafiizwan Adnan and Ivan Yuen. I’m going to work with Ivan again and a few other younger players. I believe I can push them up the world’s top 100 ranking.

“The coaching structure is also better now since (SRAM director) Mejar (Rtd) S. Maniam has been back. He was the main man when squash was first blooming in Malaysia many years ago.

“I think I can work well with him to help produce and develop Malaysian squash once again.”

Besides Ivan, Ajaz is also tasked with coaching the likes of S. Sivasangari and Ong Sai Hung as well a few other juniors previously under the care of Beng Hee.