Finding another Nicol is like looking for needle in a haystack.

Ah Jit urges aspiring athletes to emulate squash icon’s attitude

PETALING JAYA: Malaysian athletes will go far if they emulate Nicol David’s attitude on the court.

The squash queen always wears a smile despite adversities and never throws a tantrum even at the height of her stardom.

And former Squash Racquets Association of Malaysia (SRAM) executive director and secretary Wong Ah Jit (pic) hopes that other aspiring athletes will pick up the traits of the Malaysian icon and try to be as successful or better than her.

Having served SRAM for 23 years from 19832006, Ah Jit has known Nicol since she was a six-year-old and has never seen her in a bitter mood.

He said even in times of adversity, the squash legend would always find a way to put a smile on her face.

“She has never thrown a tantrum on the squash court like throwing her racquet in anger or anything of the sort,” said Ah Jit.

“And even when she was young, she was always lively and happy. She always wears a smile and has always been the ‘darling’ of the media.

“She will always oblige the media and never says no. She’s the perfect role model for every Malaysian athlete to emulate.”

The 68-year-old Ah Jit recalls the time when he became the guardian of a young Nicol when she was travelling from Penang to Kuala Lumpur for training sessions.

“Those days I would pick her up from the Subang Airport and then send her back every Sunday evening. I did that for 10 years – since she was six until she reached 16.”

Being Nicol’s guardian was not always easy as Ah Jit can still remember the time when he nearly lost sight of an 11-year-old Nicol at the underground train station during rush hour in London when he took her to the British Junior Open in 1993.

“I was the team official and it was also my first time in London. I nearly lost her in the crowd in the evening after working hours because she was so small. I had the fright of my life,” said Ah Jit.

“It was winter season, so everyone was in their baggy winter clothing and it was hard to see her. We found her but I told her to hold on tight to her sister Cheryl and never let go.”

The sweetest moment Ah Jit had with Nicol was towards the end of his long tenure with SRAM when, at the age of 22, she won her first world title in Hong Kong in 2005.

“At that time we had no live telecast of the match and I was here in Kuala Lumpur. So I was making phone calls to her father Desmond (David) and Nicol’s coach Liz Irving,” he said.

“I was on the edge of my chair waiting for the latest result. I was on the phone with Liz towards the last three points and she kept saying ‘one more point to go, one more point to go’, and of course the next day it was all over the papers.”

Ah Jit said Nicol was a natural talent and to find someone like her again would be like finding a needle in a haystack.

“I’ve never seen anybody as agile as her on the court. Of course she has slowed down a bit now but at in her prime, it was amazing to watch her play with such effortless movements on the court,” he said.

“She has done the country proud and I wish her the very best. I can foresee the new development of Malaysian sports through her experience and guidance of the young ones. She will be a good sports ambassador and a role model.”