Maniam: Our players have stepped out of Nicol’s shadow

ON paper, the Squa sh Racquets Association of Malaysia’s (SRAM) performance at the Commonwealth Games is not considered good.

Eight-time world champion Nicol David failed to defend her gold medal and finished empty-handed.

Except for that, the others have put up a creditable showing in Gold Coast against a world-class playing field.

Men’s national No. 1 Mohd Nafiizwan Adnan was a standout as he earned a first-ever medal in men’s singles by beating Welshman Joel Makin in the bronze medal playoff.

He also defeated defending champion and three-time world champion Nick Matthew of England in the quarter-finals.

SRAM director Mejar (Rtd) S. Maniam believes the players’ showing augurs well for a post-Nicol future.

“The results were satisfactory but the performances have been excellent,” said Maniam.

“Nafiizwan has been outstanding. He performed beyond expectations even when he’s not even seeded.

“I’m also very pleased with Ng Eain Yow and Mohd Syafiq Kamal in the doubles.

“They have matured and very little separated them from the top.

“Rachel Arnold, S. Sivasangari and Aifa Azman played well, too, and it augurs well for the future.

“This group of players are still very young and will be around for many more years.

Maniam added that they would review Nicol’s game to make some adjustments for the Jakarta Asian Games in August.

“We noticed some small areas in her game that needs work and I will discuss it with her and her coach Liz (Irving) in order to get her primed for the Asian Games,” said Maniam.

“I expect her to put up a better showing in the Asiad,” added Maniam.

Six players – Nicol, Nafiizwan, Eain Yow, Ivan Yuen, Rachel and Sivasangari will leave for Egypt today for the El Gouna International.