Harith hopes recent success can motivate more players from Sarawak

PETALING JAYA: National squash player Harith Danial Jefri (pic) hopes more young players from Sarawak will follow in his footsteps and reach higher levels of squash.

The Miri-born player is currently the only Sarawakian in the national team, and hopes his recent triumph at the 2025 Thailand SEA Games will spark motivation for aspiring players to pick up the racquet.

“Hopefully, with younger players watching us compete, it will give them the motivation to train and work hard,” said the 19-year-old Harith.

“It would be great to have more of the back-up players from Sarawak in the national team.”

Harith clinched the gold medal in Bangkok together with teammate K. Sehveetrraa in the mixed jumbo doubles, taking down the Philippines.

He then partnered Low Wa Sern to charge on for the second gold, and won the men’s mixed doubles right after.

Harith’s performance in Bangkok contributed two gold medals to Malaysia’s four gold medal haul in squash from the SEA Games.

“I hope aspiring players will watch us and believe that they too can play and compete,” he said.

Malaysia also got two gold medals in the singles category through Sanjay Jeeva and Noor Ainaa Amani Ampandi, who defeated compatriots Duncan Lee and Yee Xin Ying, respectively, in the finals.