NAFIIZWAN BELIEVES NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE IN GOLD QUEST
Well prepared Nafiizwan and Co believe they can deliver medal
MALAYSIA are certainly hardpressed to deliver a medal through the men’s squash at the Commonwealth Games.
The presence of English veterans – former world No. 1s Nick Matthew and James Willstrop – as well as New Zealand’s world No. 9 Paul Coll, has made the men’s competition incredibly tough.
However, national No. 1 Mohd Nafiizwan Adnan believes it is not impossible for the Malaysian men to deliver when the Games start today.
“I believe anyone can win medals. It is not impossible for us,” said world No. 35 Nafiizwan.
“In the singles, Paul is one of the favourites. He is someone I’ve beaten before and I only recently lost to him in a close match.
“This shows that whoever prepares well from the start has a good chance of pulling off an upset.
“And I believe we are definitely well prepared, especially since we have the support of Podium Programme this time, as compared to the previous Commonwealth Games.
“I think the programme has really boosted our chances of a better showing and it’s a chance to show that we can stand among the stronger nations,” he said.
Nafiizwan, however, admits that it is in the doubles – with his partner Ivan Yuen – that they stand the best chance of defying the odds.
“The doubles is anybody’s game. Look at Scotland, they’re not strong in singles but they’re medallists at the World Doubles Championships last year,” added Nafiizwan.
“It really comes down to having good fitness and a good understanding with your partner.
“And I believe Ivan and I are both pretty fit. We also have a good chemistry going.
“Even though I’ve been based in Manchester for the last few months, we still had the chance to train together whenever possible and we’ve always had discussions on new strategies,” added the Terengganuborn.
NafiizwanIvan who are seeded eighth, are drawn in Group H together with Kiwis Lance BeddoesEvan Williams and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Othneil BaileyOmari Wilson.
The other Malaysian pair in the fray are youngsters Ng Eain YowMohd Syafiq Kamal who are in Group G.
Nafiizwan, who is fresh off winning the Manitoba Open in Canada last month, will suit up for singles duty first.
The 12th seed who starts with a firstround bye, faces either Williams or Cayman Islands’ Jacob Kelly in the second round tomorrow.