PETALING JAYA: Promising Kedah junior Aifa Azman (pic) can start preparing for the British Junior Open next January now that the Squash Racquets Association of Malaysia (SRAM) have engaged a private sponsor for her.
The 12-year-old Aifa is one of the most exciting talents in the country, having won the Milo All Star Junior Open last month.
The petite Aifa, however, failed when it mattered most when she fell in the final of the Penang Junior Open and lost in the semi-finals of the Asian Juniors last month to compatriot Ooi Kah Yan. Aifa had to win both the tournaments to make the trip to Sheffield.
But SRAM president Datuk Syed Mustaffa Syed Ali, aware of her potential to reach the semi-finals or better in next year’s British Juniors, sought a private sponsor for her.
“It’s unfortunate that she missed all the important criteria but Datuk Syed has personally approached a private sponsor, who has willingly agreed to sponsor Aifa for next year’s British Juniors,” explained SRAM secretary and general manager Christopher Brodie.
“This decision is, however, based on a few criteria ... like the national coaches’ reccomendations, the potential to do well in the British Juniors and the results of this year’s British Juniors (in which she was placed ninth).
“We also took into account that she has been consistent enough to win the Milo All Star, finished second in the Penang Junior Open and third in the Asian Juniors.”
The other players who will head for Sheffield next year are S. Kiven, Mohd Hafiz Zhafri (boys’ Under-13); Daryl Gan (boys’ Under-15); Mohd Farez Izwan, Ng Eain Yow (boys’ Under-17); Mohd Syafiq Kamal (boys Under-19); Jessica Keng (girls’ Under-13); Ooi Kah Yan, S. Sivasangari (girls’ Under-15); Nazihah Hanis, Zoe Foo and Andrea Lee (girls’ Under-17).
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