PETALING JAYA: National back-up squash player Ong Sai Hung is one to look out for in the future.
The 20-year-old from Perlis is slowly but surely snapping at the heels of his more established senior teammates Mohd Syafiq Kamal and Addeen Idrakie.
The world No. 174 proved his quality when he stunned Welshman Peter Creed, who is ranked 65th in the world, at the Malaysian Open last month.
He then stepped into the quarter-finals of the New Zealand Open earlier this month but bowed out 8-11, 8-11, 6-11 after sustaining a hamstring injury during the match.
“The last two tournaments have been a good experience for me and it does feel great to upset higher ranked players,” said Sai Hung.
“But I still have a lot to learn as a player, but I’m sure I will be able to get to that level one day.”
His immediate target is to break into the top 150 in the world rankings by end of the year.
Having been named in the squad for the SEA Games, he is now targeting at least a gold medal in the Philippines from Nov 30-Dec 11.
With Addeen and Darren Rahul Pragasam the likely choices for the men’s singles event, Sai Hung is hoping to play in either the mixed doubles or team event.
“I played in the men’s doubles at the SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur and won the bronze. This time, I aim for a gold in whatever event I get to play.”
Sai Hung’s next task is the Queensland Open in Brisbane, Australia, from Nov 1-3.
The seventh seed gets a first-round bye and plays the winner between Australians Courtney West and Nicholas Calvert in the second round.
“I’ve a good draw in Brisbane and I want to get into the semi-finals at least.”
Squash Racquets Association of Malaysia director Mejar (Rtd) S. Maniam has faith in Sai Hung’s abilities.
“Sai Hung is an up and coming youngster with huge potential. He’ll go far as he sincerely believes in himself and is willing to work hard to achieve his goals,” said Maniam.
“For now, we’ll expose him to more PSA (Professional Squash Association) tournaments to help him climb the rankings and consider him for training stints abroad next year.”
The 20-year-old from Perlis is slowly but surely snapping at the heels of his more established senior teammates Mohd Syafiq Kamal and Addeen Idrakie.
The world No. 174 proved his quality when he stunned Welshman Peter Creed, who is ranked 65th in the world, at the Malaysian Open last month.
He then stepped into the quarter-finals of the New Zealand Open earlier this month but bowed out 8-11, 8-11, 6-11 after sustaining a hamstring injury during the match.
“The last two tournaments have been a good experience for me and it does feel great to upset higher ranked players,” said Sai Hung.
“But I still have a lot to learn as a player, but I’m sure I will be able to get to that level one day.”
His immediate target is to break into the top 150 in the world rankings by end of the year.
Having been named in the squad for the SEA Games, he is now targeting at least a gold medal in the Philippines from Nov 30-Dec 11.
With Addeen and Darren Rahul Pragasam the likely choices for the men’s singles event, Sai Hung is hoping to play in either the mixed doubles or team event.
“I played in the men’s doubles at the SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur and won the bronze. This time, I aim for a gold in whatever event I get to play.”
Sai Hung’s next task is the Queensland Open in Brisbane, Australia, from Nov 1-3.
The seventh seed gets a first-round bye and plays the winner between Australians Courtney West and Nicholas Calvert in the second round.
“I’ve a good draw in Brisbane and I want to get into the semi-finals at least.”
Squash Racquets Association of Malaysia director Mejar (Rtd) S. Maniam has faith in Sai Hung’s abilities.
“Sai Hung is an up and coming youngster with huge potential. He’ll go far as he sincerely believes in himself and is willing to work hard to achieve his goals,” said Maniam.
“For now, we’ll expose him to more PSA (Professional Squash Association) tournaments to help him climb the rankings and consider him for training stints abroad next year.”
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