We’ll never forget Genever – squash players pay tribute to coach

(from left)Sivasangari subramaniam,mohd nafizuan adnan,Coach Peter Genever and Ng eain yow at commonwealth games press conference.Starpic by Kamarul Ariffin/28.032018

KUALA LUMPUR: Peter Genever (pic) has left a huge impression on many players in the national squash squad as head coach and he will be sorely missed.

Genever, who has served as head coach at the Squash Racquets Association of Malaysia (SRAM) for seven years, will serve his last day on Feb 28.

And national squash player Nafiizwan Adnan expressed his sadness when the news broke on Tuesday.

The 32-year-old Nafiizwan will be one of the players to miss Genever the most as he has known him the longest.

He has been coached by the Englishman since 2007, when Nafiizwan was then based in London.

It was at the start of 2012 that Genever was appointed as the national head coach.

“He was one of my earliest coaches and it’s very sad to hear that he’s going to leave. He’s the one who has built me from a nobody into someone,” said Nafiizwan.

“He has always trusted me and keeps on pushing me to be better, and when I’m down he’s always there to pick me up and give me the confidence to keep playing.”

For Nafiizwan, his most memorable moments with Genever were when he won the individual bronze medal at the Commonwealth Gamesand the individual bronze and team gold at the Asian Games last year.

“Those are the best memories I had with him because he was there with me when I made those major achievements.

“But maybe now he wants to spend more time with his family, because as a coach he always works very hard and gives 200%.”

“I wish him all the best in the future and in the next chapter of his life. I’ll definitely keep in touch with him.”

Despite having been coached by Genever for only four months, junior player Siow Yee Xian said he has gained so much in that short period.

Yee Xian was also one of the top performers as he finished fourth in the Under-19 category at the prestigious British Junior Open in Birmingham last week.

“I was only put under him in September last year – it’s not long but he has taught me more than I could ever imagine, on and off court,” said Yee Xian.

“He’s a true professional and has great knowledge in coaching. And in a short period he has helped me to work on my weaknesses and turn them into strengths.

“I’m just extremely fortunate to have the chance to travel with him to the British Junior Open and to be under his guidance these last few months. It’s definitely a good memory.

“He’s also a good example for us as a systematic and disciplined person.

“He’s always on his laptop planning things out to make sure training runs smoothly.”