Strategies to become squash champion

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SIBU: Play smart, have plenty of stamina and possess good fighting spirit are the three pre-requisites in the making of a squash champion Lim Chun Len, the head of Resource Department of Sibu Education Department.

Speaking at the closing of the three-day Sarawak Schools Squash Championship held at SMK Sacred Heart yesterday, Lim said a player must be agile and have a strategic thinking mind in order to study the weaknesses of his opponent.

“In order to play smart, you must be skillful to play an accurate game and anticipate the movements of your opponent…if your opponent makes you run, you must also make him run and this is what we call strategic thinking,” he explained.

On stamina, Lim said: “It will be up to no good if you play like a tiger in the first and second rounds but running out of steam in the eighth or ninth round. That will not bring you anywhere.”

As for the fighting spirit, he said that remained the most lethal weapon in all sports.

“Never give up in your pursuit for glory. Remember, when you are very weak, your opponent will be as weak as you are. So if you persevere, there is always a chance for you to emerge the winner,” he said while thanking Sarawak Squash Association president, Robert Lau Hui Yew for promoting squash among the locals particularly the youngsters.

“So long as the players can continue to play well, I believe Lau will also be more than willing to offer financial help to ensure the development of squash is given full attention,” he enthused.

He also stressed the importance of parents’ support and the guidance of coaches in promoting the game.

Lim also mentioned the pivotal role played by Sibu Squash Association in getting the game to grow, noting that SMK Sacred Heart had been the venue for Sarawak Schools squash championships for six consecutive years.

He, however, said it was sad that only three teams were competing in this year’s competition.