Syafiq thrives on pressure to go after national crown

PETALING JAYA: National No. 3 Syafiq Kamal reckons the race for the men’s title in the National Squash Championship from Oct 6-10 will be an open affair.

National No.1 Ng Eain Yow has skipped the tournament to resume training in England next week and Syafiq fancies his chance at the National Squash Centre in Bukit Jalil.

Syafiq last competed at the CNS International Squash Championship in Karachi, Pakistan, last February, where he reached the quarter-final stage before he was knocked out by Tayyab Aslam of Egypt.

Since then he had been training in Kuala Lumpur and is now raring for some competitive action.

“Winning this title will be more meaningful if Eain Yow is around but unfortunately, he has other plans.

“In his absence, there is a chance for me and other senior players like Ivan Yuen to fight for the title,” said the

That’s why I’ve set a goal to win the national title, the pressure, I hope, will help me to play better.

Syafiq Kamal

world No. 79.

The 24-year-old, who has received a first-round bye, said he missed the pressure of playing in a tournament.

“I’ve regained my fitness level since I lost a lot of body mass during the movement control order. The only thing that is missing now is that feeling of playing in a tournament and the pressure that comes with it,” said Syafiq.

“That’s why I’ve set a goal to win the national title, the pressure, I hope, will help me to play better,” he added.