Ashraf wants to impress new club with good Asiad outing

PADDLER Ashraf Haiqal Rizal wants to justify his selection into a German club by doing well in the men’s singles event starting today at the JI Expo in Kemayoran.

The 24yearold has been chosen to play for SB/DJK Rosenheim, a third division club side in the German table tennis league next month.

He was approached by the club coach during the World Team Championships in Halmstad, Sweden in May.

Ashraf is looking forward to his first Europe stint and hopes to gain experience playing in the highly competitive league for three months.

“I quickly agreed when I was invited by the club. I’m looking forward to playing in Germany, which is one of giants in table tennis,” said Ashraf.

“The experience of playing more quality matches there will help me to become a better player. This is going to be a very important threemonth stint as I hope to qualify for the Olympics one day.”

“I hope to show my clubtobe that they have made the right move by producing good results in the Asiad.”

The world No. 254 Asraf is expected to power past Ahmed Moosa Munsif of Maldives in the first round today to set up a daunting second round clash against world No. 75 Nima Almian Darounkolaei of Iran.

Ashraf, who reached the last 16 at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in April, hopes to score an upset win.

“Nima is ranked higher but I think I’ve got a chance. I’ll give him a run for his money,” said Ashraf, who is hoping to reach the last 16 in his Asiad debut.

The other Malaysians in action today are Leong Chee Feng in the men’s singles and Ho Ying and Alice Chang in the women’s singles.