Squashing up the rankings

SARAWAK’s sole squash pro Sanjay Singh Chal is giving himself three years to break into top 100 world rankings.

“My target by the age of 21 is to be in the top 100. I’m 19 now – so another three more years. From there, I will work my way up to No. 30 or higher,” said the left-handed national No. 5 from Miri.

He is confident of achieving the target because of the systematic training under the Squash Racquet Association of Malaysia (SRAM).

Sanjay recently returned to Bukit Jalil to continue his training. He also started his pre-university programme in business studies on July 9.

On the regional arena, he is eyeing the Professional Squash Association (PSA) tournament in Australia this November and both the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games next year.

Sanjay who turned pro in 2012, has reached a career-high world ranking of World No. 186 in March this year. His current ranking (July 2013) is No. 194. The other top four national players are Ong Beng Hee (Penang), Nafiizwan Adnan (Trengganu), Mohd Asraf Azan (Kuala Lumpur) and Ivan Yen (Selangor).

Sanjay competed in his first World Men’s Team Event in Mulhouse, France, from June 9 to 15 together with three other Malaysian players — Beng Hee, Nafiizwan and Mohd Asraf.

Malaysia finished eighth out of 30 teams. England emerged the champion.

Sanjay said the Team Event was the second biggest tournament in the world and the Malaysians players got to watch the world’s top 10 players in action.

“It’s a very good experience – to me, money can’t buy this experience.”

At 12, Sanjay captained the Sarawak team in the 2006 Malaysian Schools Sports Council (MSSM) competition for the Ong Beng Hi and Nicole David Trophy. The state finished third.

And for his achievements, the Sikh Federation of Malaysia awarded him the Most Promising Sportsman 2012 title on June 6 this year.

According to Sanjay’s father, Jewa Singh who received the award on his son’s behalf, Sanjay is the first Sarawakian to have been recognised by the Sikh Federation for sports prowess.

“As a parent, I’m proud that at this young age, he has already made such good progress in his sport.”

Under the Sukma Elite squad, Sanjay has been given a monthly allowance of RM300 (until the end of Sukma 2014 in Perlis), apart from the RM300 from the National Sports Council with all living expenses paid by SRAM.

Both father and son agree continuous funding is needed to support Sanjay’s development in squash, particularly for buying rackets and proper shoes in preparation for tournaments.

“I need to look out for racket and shoe sponsorships because they are expensive. Every 45 days, I have to buy a pair for Sanjay, costing RM200-RM250, depending on the brand. He needs six to seven new pairs every year for competitions,” Jewa revealed.

He thanked the Squash Racquet Association of Sarawak (SRAS) and SRAM for being very supportive over the years although funding is still limited as it has to be shared by so many players.

Those wishing to sponsor Sanjay can call 012-8734786 or Jewa (085-433786).

Squash Idols

Sanjay – like any high sports achievers – idolises the cream of his sport. England’s James Willstrop, currently world No. 3, tops his list of squash heroes.

The Malaysian players he looks up to are the now retired Azlan Iskandar (his highest ranking was No. 10) because he is a Sarawakian and always ready to extend a helping hand, and Ong Beng Hee (now World No. 22 but had climbed to No. 7, the only Malaysian male player to reach that level).

“With hard work, I hope to emulate them or even do better in the future,” Sanjay said.

He added that his father, a former Sabah player and now part-time coach, was his mentor for about two years (from 2003) before he joined the Bukit Jalil Sports School and SRAM in 2010.

Sanjay thanked mum Mary Voon (who does not play  squash) for encouraging him to switch to squash from tennis.

“I saw my father play squash and I didn’t like tennis. So I said why not try squash and I never regret taking up the sport,” he said, adding that tennis is a lot more difficult to play and playing under the hot sun in the open court can be brutal.

“No money in squash compared to sports like badminton, tennis and golf but I still like squash most.

“Squash is not an Olympic sport but hopefully, by this September, it will qualify for the 2020 Olympics and once that happens, there will be more funding,” he said.

Of the three sports – wrestling, softball and squash — only one or two games will be chosen.

Squash in Sarawak

Sanjay said there is much to be done to make Sarawak the country’s squash powerhouse although the local facilities are excellent.

“It’s long road but I still hope more players will come up. Players should be committed and parents should let the kids enjoy the sport,” he added.

Meanwhile, Jewa said 13 years old is the breaking point for squash players, adding that once players could push themselves above their opponents at that age, then they had the potential to go far.

Jewa is part-time coach under Unit Sukan Prestasi Tinggi Negara (USPTN) for squash in Miri. He was Sukma coach in 2008 and 2010 (Terengganu and Melaka) and team manager in 2012.

Gymkhana Club Miri (GCM) is the training venue for 19 children from all over Miri.

Sanjay, born on April 23, 1994, and the eldest in a family of two siblings, said after retiring from competitive squash, he planned to go into business.

“Academically, I want to study to become a businessman. Not following in my father’s footsteps. I want to be a successful businessman,” he added.