Sabah squash views postponement positively

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Squash Association took the postponement of the 20th Malaysia Games (Sukma) positively.

Its president Datuk Charles O Pang said they fully supported the decision as announced by Federal Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican recently, describing it as the right decision.

“The postponement has our total support and we believe it was a wise decision,” he said taking into consideration of the current Covid-19 situation as well as uncertainties that lies ahead.

That said, Pang believed that the ‘extra time' may give the state trainees adequate time to prepare, although it would mean making adjustments to their existing plans.

“We may have to revise our budgets and training programmes but like I said we take the postponement positively.

“It means more time for our preparation and give the players ample time to hone their skills,” he added yesterday.

For the record, the 20th edition of Sukma was supposedly to take place in Johor from July 11-19 this year but due to the Covid19 pandemic, it was initially postponed to April 2021.

However, the rising number of Covid-19 cases in the country since last month has forced the cancellation of the Games next year, where it was subsequently pushed back to 2022.

Meanwhile, the local based Sukma players have resumed training yesterday after the announcement of the updated standard operating procedure (SOP) by the state Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Ellron Angin recently.

According to Pang, the players train from 1pm to 3pm daily at the squash courts in Likas while strictly complying to the SOPs.

On the progress of Jessica Keng following her recent surgery, Pang said the Sukma player was recovering well after a successful procedure to remove a cyst and to stich up meniscus tear on her knee.

“She will return to training once the doctor gives her the greenlight,” he said.

Jessica is one of the 12 players in the state Sukma list, where she is based in Kuala Lumpur along with Lai Wen Li, Duncan Lee, Yee Xin Ying and Yee Zheng Hong.

Another Kuala Lumpurbased player is Tristan Andres but he is now back in the state and trains with Nicholas Tan, Doyce Lee, Etain Tay and Rachel Richard Gabil under coaches Munir Khan and Bryan Faurillo assisted by Mohd Farez Izwan in Likas.

The other players in the Sabah Sukma list for squash are Kayden Liaw who is based in Johor and Muhd Akid Izuddin Zulkifli in Tawau.

Some of the State Sukma squash trainees Nicholas (from left front), Doyce and Etain as well as Tristan (second right, back) pose with coaches Munir (from left, back), Mohd Farez and Bryan as training resumed in Likas yesterday.