Ayesha seeks lift at national meet before take-off to England

PENANG: Rising squash player Ayesha Rania Syed Kebir’s (pic) debut National Championships campaign will serve as the perfect yardstick before she leaves for England to embark on the next chapter of her career.

The 18-year-old from Kuala Lumpur is eager to get things going at the Nicol David International Squash Centre, where she will take on 15-year-old Harleein Tan in the opening round.

“I’ll be playing Harleein in the first round, and I know it’s going to be tough. But if I play well, I know I stand a good chance,” said Ayesha.

Ayesha had recently competed in Penang when she made it to the final of the Penang International Junior Open last month, but came up short against Negri Sembilan’s V. Haneesha in the girls’ Under-19 category.

It was her second final appearance after the Lion City Junior Open in Singapore in June, where she had also fallen to Haneesha, who won her first international title.

Set to play squash for the University of Birmingham, Ayesha added that she hopes to test the waters at her debut National Championships campaign.

“Lately I’ve been preparing to leave for England next month, and I’m excited for that.

“It’s my first time playing the National Championships. I’m really not expecting much but I’m here for the experience,” she said.

At the University of Birmingham, Ayesha will be training under head of performance squash Jonathan Tate, who praised the incoming player for her discipline and attitude during sessions.

Tate was in Kuala Lumpur ahead of the National Championships for a training stint with aspiring talents at the Ace Universiti Malaya Squash Centre of Excellence last week, and said he was looking forward to seeing Ayesha in Birmingham.