Don't put pressure on Aifa to be next Nicol David, says Youth and Sports Minister

IPOH: Do not put pressure on national squash player Aifa Azman (pic) to be the next Datuk Nicol David, says Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu.

The Youth and Sports Minister said Malaysians should only just pray and support her to perform well in tournaments.

"I am impressed with her performance.

"She has potential and we should all be proud of her achievement," he said in a press conference after attending a blood donation programme in Kampung Tersusun Tawas Tambahan here Sunday (nov28).

"I hope she will continue to have success.

"But let's not put pressure on her to replace Nicol but continue supporting her in making the country proud," he added.

Aifa, ranked 69 in the world, recently won the Malaysian Open squash championships by upsetting world Number Eight and top seed Salma Hany 12-10, 11-8, 11-4 at the National Squash Centre in Bukit Jalil.

Aifa is the fifth local to win the Malaysian Open women’s title after Low Wee Wern, Rachel Arnold, S. Sivasangari and Nicol in the last decade.