Cali gets Beng Hee all excited again

PETALING JAYA: National No. 1 squash player Ong Beng Hee has pretty much seen it all and done it all.

But the 33-year-old is still excited at being given the opportunity to travel to Cali, Colombia for the first time to compete in the World Games, which begin tomorrow.

“There hasn’t been anything new for me in squash lately ... besides making more enemies,” said Beng Hee in jest.

“But seriously, though, I’ve been playing squash professionally for 18 years. Now that I’m older, I just have to learn to improve in different ways and keep myself motivated by doing different routines every day.

“Frankly, I don’t stand a chance of winning the World Games!

“It’s not about who I’m up against ... it’s just that the event is really tough – a 32-man draw over three days.

“And it’s at a high altitude ... it’s a lot different from our usual playing environment. And don’t forget that the quarter-finals and semifinals will be on the same day!

“Still, I’m excited ... and looking forward to a good tournament in Cali because it’s important for us players to support the event.

“I was a little surprised that so many younger players have given the Games a miss. But, since I’m the old man here, it’s always nice to sacrifice a bit of time to show some support.”

Beng Hee is seeded seventh and has been given a first-round bye. He will probably take on joint ninth-16th seed Raphael Kendra of Germany in the second round.

If he gets past Kendra, he should face old foe and second seed Peter Barker of England in the quarter-finals.

The tournament, however, lost some lustre as Egypt’s Ramy Ashour (world No. 1) and Mohd El Shorbagy (world No. 6) and England’s James Willstrop (world No. 4) and Nick Matthew (world No. 3) are not competing.

World No. 2 Gregory Gaultier of France is the top seed.

After the World Games, Beng Hee will make a short trip to Bogota to play in the Colombian Open from Aug 6-11.

The other Malaysians in the fray in the Colombian Open are women’s world No. 1 Nicol David and national No. 2 Low Wee Wern – the top two seeds.