Friday May 19, 2006
Hard work pays off for squash junior
By Y.P. SIVAM
 |
Marcus Yuen ... youngest member of the Selangor contingent |
HE may not be the best player in the Selangor squash team taking part in the Sukma Games in Alor Star next week, but attention will definitely focus on young Marcus Yuen.
The lad, who turned 13 on May 13, will be the youngest member of the Selangor contingent.
Marcus made it into the team when two other juniors, Leong Elroy and Jason Lee, pulled out late last year.
The Squash Racket Association of Selangor (SRAS) had included Leong and Lee in the training squad but the duo opted out.
Leong felt that he was not making any progress in squash and decided to concentrate on coaching while Lee has migrated to Australia.
It was then that the hardworking Marcus, who had been training with the Sukma squad, was included in the team.
Marcus, a Form One student at SMK USJ 4, said he was happy to be in the Selangor team.
“I may not get to play in the individual events but I am looking forward to give my best for Selangor in the team events. Although I was not in the original training squad, I had continued training for other competitions,” said Marcus after a training session at the PJ Astaka recently.
 |
The Selangor squash players with coach M. Kumaresan (far left) and manager Mary Ong all ready for their challenge in Sukma Kedah. |
Ivan is Marcus’ elder brother and also the top seed in the boys’ individual category.
The Selangor girls’ team comprises P.T. Pushppa Devi, Fatin Balqis Suhaimi, Tan Yan Xin and K. Darshini.
Pushppa Devi is the second seed in the girls’ individual event.
The coaches are Sajjad Ahmad and M. Kumaresan.
As the Selangor contingent’s youngest sportsman, Marcus is looking to his seniors, particularly elder brother Ivan, for guidance.
“I don’t have any problems mixing with them as I have been training with them for a long time. They have been helpful during training and with their guidance, I am confident of giving my best in the Sukma,” said Marcus.
Selangor team manager Mary Ong said they were impressed with Marcus’ perseverance and felt that the lad was Selangor’s future star.
“Marcus is only 13 and he is eligible to play in the Sukma until he turns 18. Hopefully, the exposure gained in this Sukma will make him a better player and bring medals for Selangor in the 2008 and 2010 Sukma,” said Ong.
This year has been an impressive one for Marcus. He took part in the Under-17 category in the Milo-MSSM-NSC junior circuit. After finishing second in the first two legs, Marcus became the champion in the third leg.
He was runner-up in the Australia Bi-Series in Sydney. Marcus was also the boys Under-15 champion in the Milo-Selangor Schools Sports Council (MSSS) championships.
Ong said they would be giving opportunities for Marcus to play in the team events. “We have confidence in his game. He should be able to adapt to the situation and deliver the points for Selangor,” she added.
News Poll
- Court ruling takes bite out of local council summonses
- Chin Peng apologises for death of innocents
- Girl and stepmum held over bid to kill first wife
- Biggest karaoke session a blast
- New evidence on MCA snoop squad case arrives at doorstep
- Teoh's second autopsy completed 3.15pm
- Victim’s dad nabs kidnapper
- Teoh’s body exhumed for second autopsy today
- Foreigner falls to her death from condominium
- Malaysians must get regular dental checks
- Court ruling takes bite out of local council summonses
- Chin Peng apologises for death of innocents
- Malaysians must get regular dental checks
- No licence to try offenders
- Big impact in ‘small’ man’s win
- New evidence on MCA snoop squad case arrives at doorstep
- Stop blanket approval for outsourcing, says union
- Weapons drawn for new battle
- Johor set to be a medical hub
- Joy for 2,500 housebuyers as SPNB takes over project
RSS
