Experienced Nafiizwan looks set to join SRAM as coach

The Squash Racquets Association of Malaysia (SRAM) have led the way in getting former national players to be more involved in improving their sport.

Recently they roped in former internationals Azlan Iskandar and Sharon Wee who became the new SRAM deputy president and vice-president respectively.

And now former national No. 1 Nafiizwan Adnan hopes to join the bandwagon to take squash up to another level through the SRAM coaching stable.

The 34-year-old initially turned down an offer from SRAM after retiring last year in order to get his family life in order.

Now that his start-up business is up-and-running and having welcomed his first-born son in July, the 2018 Commonwealth Games bronze medallist is ready to take on the next challenge.

Pending confirmation from the National Sports Council (NSC), it is almost certain that Nafiizwan will step into the squash court soon – as a coach.

“I am actually honoured that SRAM are giving me an opportunity again,” he said.

“With my family life in order and my business running smoothly, I feel like it is time for me to give something back to squash.

“In a way I feel that I am more prepared now to take on this job and I’m glad that I have an opportunity to serve as a coach and help our current batch of players.

“It’s true I do not have a lot of coaching experience but what I do have in abundance is 23 years of experience as a squash player.

“Having been an athlete for so long, I feel that I have the knowledge to help in the transition of a player from the junior to the senior levels.

“While I’m not looking to change a lot, I want the players to feel comfortable around me as a coach and know that they can always share what’s on their mind with me.

“That’s because I feel that communication is essential in coaching.

“When I was a player I always had good communication with (Peter) Genever and it is also why (Low) Wee Wern and Aaron (Soyza) have a good player-coach combination,” said the 2018 winner of the Asian Games team gold medallist.