Smashing return

Different role: Delia Arnold has represented Malaysia since she was 10 and will return to the national fold as a coach.

KUALA LUMPUR: Former national squash player Delia Arnold has kept the family tradition alive.

Her father, Raymond, represented the country for five years from 1986 before becoming the national coach from 1994 to 2016.

Delia, a two-time national champion, will be following in her father’s footsteps as she is currently undergoing a five-day coaching course at the National Squash Centre before starting her new career as national coach.

The Squash Racquets Association of Malaysia (SRAM) director Mejar (Rtd) S. Maniam said that they initially offered the post to Nafiizwan Adnan who recently quit the sport. But the former national No. 1 declined as he wanted to start a business.

“We then offered the job to Delia, who was more than happy to accept it. We have submitted her application together with Jess Tay, a former state player, to the National Sports Council (NSC) for approval.

“Delia will train the girls while Jess will be the development coach for the Bukit Jalil Sports School,” said Maniam.

Delia said that she took up the offer as she wanted to give back to the sport.

“There are hardly any women coaches now. I accepted the job as I want to help develop the standard of our girls,” said Delia, who represented Malaysia since she was 10.

Delia won 10 Professional Squash Association (PSA) titles and also played an important role in helping Malaysia win a silver in the World Team Championships in Niagara Falls, Canada in 2014.

The other members of the team were former national No. 1 Nicol David, Low Wee Wern and Zulhijjah Azan.

Delia has two other siblings – brother Timothy, who retired from squash a few years ago and younger sister Rachel, currently ranked 47th in the world.