POST-RETIREMENT CONTRIBUTION
Nicol to do development work after hanging up racquet
THE Squash Racquets Association of Malaysia (SRAM) hope Nicol David will be able to assist the national body with the development of both junior and senior players once she retires from the sport in June.
SRAM president Nik Razeen Daud said he will be speaking to Nicol regarding her future.
On Monday, Nicol announced that she would be retiring at the end of the current PSA Tour season in June.
“I hope she will (contribute to Malaysia). SRAM will welcome a player of her experience and capability with open arms to help us out and improve our programmes,” said Razeen.
“I am sure there is a great deal she can contribute to us in terms of (improving) our junior programmes and even our senior players.
“I will be speaking to her soon and I want to see what she has in mind for the future and possibly discuss in detail what that will be.
“I hope it will include the national squash programme, if so, we will be looking forward to working with her."
Nicol disclosed that she would be working closely with PSA to raise awareness of the sport globally in addition to building a support team for professional athletes.
Replacing a player of Nicol’s stature, regarded as the all-time greatest in the women’s game, will be tough.
Developing players capable of breaching the top-10 in the world rankings, however, should be the short to medium-term target for SRAM.
Razeen admitted that Nicol’s departure would leave a void in the senior team.
“Yes, I agree there is a gap to fill but that happens in any sport that has top-class players,” added Razeen.
“I have confidence in our players. Low Wee Wern is well on her way, she has gone from 240 to top 40 in the world now in less than a year and I am sure she will continue to progress.
“S. Sivasangari is now in the US training with (former World No 1) David Palmer and I hope to see her continue improving.
“Sivasangari, of course, made it to the final of the Indonesia Asian Games last year where she played Nicol so she is ready to go.
Sivasangari, 20, has just moved to Cornell University in the United States on a scholarship from CIMB Foundation.
“We also have players like Aifa Azman coming up, among others.”
At 28, Wee Wern, who last year returned after a two-year injury layoff, will be the most senior player in the women's squad after Nicol retires.
Nicol, at No 21, remains the highest ranked Malaysian in the women’s game followed by Wee Wern (39) and Sivasangari (45).