Azman sisters eyeing a clean sweep in Sukma
Kedah will be banking on the Azman sisters to rule the roost in the women’s squash individual and team events in the Malaysia Games (Sukma) in Perak from Sept 11-22.
The 18-year-old Aifa, who won the British Junior Open Under-17 title in January, is the top seed in the individual event in the absence of defending champion S. Sivasangari of Kedah, who has decided to skip Sukma to feature in the PSA tournament in Hong Kong.
Aifa’s two other sisters will also be in action – the eldest Aika (21) and the youngest Aira (14) in the team event. The other team member is Nazihah Anis. Aifa, who participated in this year’s Commonwealth and Asian Games, said she hoped to win her first medal in her fourth consecutive Sukma.
“I’ve improved a lot since the last Sukma in Kuching two years ago and the time has come for me to win the individual gold,” said Aifa, who bagged bronze in the team event in the Asian Games in Jakarta last month.
“I’ve also gained experience playing in PSA tournaments as well as two major Games (Asiad and Commonwealth).
“The path looks good for me to help my state defend the individual title,” said Aifa.
Aifa, who lost to Vanessa Raj of Penang in the quarter-finals in Kuching two years ago, will not take her opponents lightly in Perak.
Her main challengers are Ooi Kah Yan of Negri Sembilan, Chan Yiwen of the Federal Territories and Lai Wen Li of Sabah.
“We also have a solid team comprising my two sisters and Nazihah. I doubt that any other team will be able to beat us for the team gold. I hope to win two gold medals for Kedah,” said Aifa, who debuted in the Sukma as a 13-year-old in Kuantan 2012.
Before Sukma, Aifa will compete in the Women’s World Team Championships in Dalian, China, first. She will be joined by world No. 9 Nicol David, Sivasangari and Low Wee Wern in the world meet starting on Sept 11.