Christmas cheer for players ahead of British Juniors

The national squash juniors with top junior Ng Eain Yow (standing second from right) at the Cross family home with friends and family of national junior coach Andrew Cross. Photo courtesy of Andrew Cross

PETALING JAYA: It’s Christmas and the national junior squash players will get a well-deserved break at coach Andrew Cross’ house before the prestigious British Junior Open starts from Jan 2-6.

The 19 juniors, led by Cross and Federal Territories coach Lawrence Kwan, arrived in Sheffield on Wednesday. They were picked up by a group of friends and family members and were brought to Englishman Cross’ house in Garforth, Leeds.

Cross believes the Christmas break is a good way to cheer up the juniors especially after a long flight from Kuala Lumpur.

“I’ve been holding a Christmas party for the juniors at my house for the last five years,” said Cross, who joined the Squash Racquets Association of Malaysia (SRAM) set-up in 2007,

“It couldn’t be done without a lot of help from my family and friends. Our usual routine every year is to go for a round of training in the morning at the Pontefract Squash Club.

“After that, we come back to my house for a Christmas lunch. It’s pretty fun because it’s an East-meets-West celebration ... turkey and traditional stuff for us while the kids have rice and noodles with chicken.

“My mother stays home to do the cooking while my dad and my brother drives us to the club.

“The players love it since they’re far away from home and having gone through a long flight. Those here for the first time are even enjoying the cold weather ... for now,” added Cross.

After the short break, the juniors will compete in the Pontefract Junior Open which starts on Saturday. Last year, Malaysia swept all the eight titles at stake.

At the British Junior Open, Malaysia are banking on Ng Eain Yow (boys’ Under-17), S. Sivasangari (girls’ Under-17) and Aifa Azman (girls’ Under-15) to emerge as champions.

Early this year, Malaysia won two titles through Aifa (Under-13) and Sivasangari (Under-15).
After the short break, the juniors will compete in the Pontefract Junior Open which starts on Saturday. Last year, Malaysia swept all the eight titles at stake.

At the British Junior Open, Malaysia are banking on Ng Eain Yow (boys’ Under-17), S. Sivasangari (girls’ Under-17) and Aifa Azman (girls’ Under-15) to emerge as champions.

Early this year, Malaysia won two titles through Aifa (Under-13) and Sivasangari (Under-15).