Addeen unfazed with hectic schedule before Hong Kong tourney
KUALA LUMPUR: National squash player Addeen Idrakie will be scrambling from the examination room in Kuala Lumpur to the squash court in Hong Kong within three days, but he is fine with his hectic schedule.
In fact, it has not stopped him from being positive of his chances in the Hong Kong Challenge Cup which starts on Wednesday.
The 24-year-old, who is taking his degree in sports science at Universiti Malaya, will sit for his final semester exams tomorrow and Tuesday morning before rushing to the airport to take the night flight out.
Addeen will be the last player to leave for Hong Kong as his teammates – top seed Mohd Syafiq Kamal, Farez Izwan, Darren Rahul Pragasam, Ong Sai Hung, Elvinn Keo and Wee Ming Hock – have already made their way.
“I haven’t had much time to be with my coach as I’ve been trying to balance my studies for my final exams and training, but I think I’ve prepared well for my first tourna- ment of the year,” said Addeen.
“I really want to get off to a good start,” added Addeen, who has been on a study break the last two weeks.
The break has allowed him to attend at least one training session a day and still have enough time to study for his finals.
Despite the tough juggling act, Addeen is keeping his head to press forward.
“It’s not easy balancing both but I’m used to it having done it for the last four years, and now I’m just one year away from completing my degree,” said Addeen.
In Hong Kong, however, second seed Addeen is fortunate as he has a first-round bye and will have some time to settle down on Wednesday before his opening match in the evening.
He faces the winner between home favourite Harley Lam and India’s Varun Johny.
“There is some pressure being the second seed,” said Addeen. “Hopefully, I’ll live up to the expectation by reaching the final.”