SUKMA MEDAL HOPEFULS: Wong (third left), Tay (fourth right) pose with their coach Kenneth Goh (fifth right) and other team members.
KUCHING: Sarawak’s top junior squash player Michelle Wong is aiming to be in the top 8 ranked in upcoming professional tournaments.
The 17-year-old student of SMK Sg Maong was ranked the top 16 in the NSC Second Series in Bukit Jalil last January.
“I was also the top 16 player in similar tournament last year. I aim to improve my ranking to be the top 8. I’m training hard to get a medal in the upcoming Sukma 2012…I think I have quite a good chance,” Wong told The Sundaypost yesterday.
On whether she would consider to be a full time squash player, Wong said she would think of her future after the SPM examinations that she would be sitting end of this year.
Wong is one of the 10 state squash players sponsored by Prince.
For Jess Tay, another sponsored player, attending tuition classes after squash training was his way to get fully prepared and ready for the SPM examinations.
The student of SMK Batu Lintang would be participating in the 2012 CIMB National Junior Circuit for Boys U-17 this Apr 5 to 8 in Ipoh.
“My target is to be the champion and yes, I have full confidence (in getting the title),” said the 17-year-old.
On Sukma 2012, Tay said he hope he could help his team secure the gold medal in the group category. Tay who had been playing squash for nine years would not be participating in the individual category in Sukma 2012.
Squash Association of Kuching (SAK) chairwoman Connie Yeo said she was happy that Prince had been supporting in the development of young squash players of Sarawak.
Out of the 10 sponsored players, seven were from Kuching, two from Miri and one from Sibu. Prince also sponsors the apparels of Sarawak’s three coaches.
“The players are chosen not only because of their performance but also their attitude and sportsmanship, which are very essential. We really appreciate Prince for their sponsorship which is a positive move to the development of young and talented squash players in Sarawak.”