Wee Wern is hoping for better financial support this year

PETALING JAYA: Woman squash player Low Wee Wern enjoyed a superb season last year.

The national No. 2 and world No. 7 played a key role in helping Malaysia secure their first ever second-placed finish in the Women’s World Team Championship.

The Penangite also capped a fine performance at the Incheon Asian Games to finish with a silver behind team-mate and world No. 1 Nicol David in the individual event before guiding the team to a second successive gold medal.

On the professional circuit, the 24-year-old Wee Wern won the China Open in September for only her second Gold event title. She also reached No. 5 in the world rankings for the first time.

That’s quite an achievement – one that Wee Wern hope will warrant an increment in her annual grant.

Wee Wern gets by with a RM100,000 annual grant from the National Sports Council (NSC). This is a far cry from the RM250,000 grant received by Nicol.

“RM100,000 may seem like a lot of money but we (the squash players) have to use the grant to book our own flights and arrange our own accommodations when we go overseas to compete in tournaments (pro circuit),” said Wee Wern.

“There is RM30,000 buffer in case the cost go up but even then it is subject to approval.

“In 2013, I received a RM130,000 grant but they cut it back to RM100,000 and only informed me during the Commonwealth Games (in Glasgow last July).

“I requested for a little extra last year but was told by the NSC to wait until after the Asian Games (last September). Now that the Asiad is over, and we have delivered as promised, it would be nice if something is done about my grant.

“I’ve put in a request, via email, to the NSC and the Squash Racquets Association of Malaysia (SRAM) ... I’m hoping to hear from them”.

It’s not as if Wee Wern has suddenly become greedy or anything, but she does have a point in seeking a higher grant.

“Apart from requesting for myself, the extra I’m asking is to ensure that I have my coach Aaron (Soyza) with me for at least five tournaments this year,” she explained.

“Since there are no major Games this year, my goal is to focus on the professional circuit, get back into the top five and stay there. I’ll definitely need Aaron with me if I am to achieve all that.

“So, I hope my request will be granted,” added Wee Wern, who left for New York on Wednesday to compete in the Tournament of Champions. Wee Wern and defending champion Nicol will get their campaigns under way on Monday.