Dreams quashed for squash duo Yiwen and Addeen
Things are not going as planned for our national squash players.
Players like Chan Yiwen and Addeen Idrakie, who had been hoping to move up the rankings by the end of this year, are seeing their plans in a shambles after the cancellations of Professional Squash Association (PSA) tournaments from March to May.
The 19-year-old Yiwen, now ranked 93, had hopes of breaking into the top 65, while 26-year-old Addeen, who is No 95 now, had wanted to break into the top 75.
City lass Yiwen said she had received an email from the PSA a few days ago that all world rankings have been frozen for the moment because of the Covid-19 outbreak.
“PSA have told all professional players to be patient as they are not sure when the situation will improve,” said Yiwen.
“The situation is getting worse all over the world and this is not good for any sport.
“No one knows when the PSA tournaments will resume this year,” said Yiwen, who was forced to miss three tournaments in April – the CAS International in Islamabad from April 3-6 and two Indian Tours in Indore from April 18-21 and Chennai from April 26-29.
Yiwen last featured in the Indian Tour in Jaipur in February, said that what she had planned this year could no longer be achieved.
“PSA tournaments are only likely to resume in August and I am not sure which tournaments I will get to play because of my studies.
“I was supposed to start my degree in psychology at Taylor’s University in Subang Jaya last week but that has been postponed to April 10,” said Yiwen, who won the SRAM PSA tournament last year April.
“I will do online studies until April 30 and then join the classes at the university.
“I will also miss the World University Championships in Shanghai (from July 20-26), which have been postponed. No one is sure whether the meet will be held this year.
Addeen, meanwhile, had been aiming to do well in PSA tournaments in Pakistan, Kuwait and Malaysia but all have been suspended.
He is also missing training with the national team.
“I feel bored staying at home. I am really looking forward to resuming training after April 15 as it will be almost a month since I last played squash,” said Addeen, who last competed at the CNS International Squash Championships in Karachi, Pakistan in February.
The 2019 SEA Games gold medallist is currently working hard on his fitness at home in Gombak.
“I had been hoping to move up the rankings but that has become impossible. For now I just want to improve my fitness, technique on court and get back to playing high-level squash again,” said Addeen.
“My coach (Ajaz Azmat) has urged all of us in the national team to keep a positive mindset,” said Addeen, who is currently the fourthranked player in the national team behind Ng Eain Yow (world No. 30), Ivan Yuen (No. 43) and Mohd Syafiq Kamal (No. 83).