Robert Lau Hui Yew
SIBU: Squash Racquets Association of Sarawak (SRAS) has embarked on a state-wide talent search for squash players to join the junior development programme (JDP) scheduled to be held on March 29.
Its president Robert Lau Hui Yew said the JDP would be conducted by its three affiliates in Kuching (MBKS Court at Pending Road), Sibu (SMK Sacred Heart) and Miri (SMK Pei Ming or Sk Bintang) simultaneously on the same day.
“We have reasons to believe that there are lots of potential players out there whose talent are yet to be tapped. Roping them in to join the squash junior development programme will give us a bigger pool of players who would eventually be moulded into players of national or even international calibre,” he added when contacted.
The talent identification effort for the JDP, he continued, had received encouraging response and queries from many parents.
The key thing, Lau insisted, is the cooperation from the parents as they are the pillars of strength and support for their children.
‘Parents must be committed to send your children to the training centre. If parents do not have the time to do that simple task, then it is impossible for their little child to progress.”
He invited parents to bring their children 10-years-old and below to join the training programme.
The maximum entry fee is RM50 per month.
SRAS officials would also go to the schools to identify talented players.
Lau, who took part in the JDP workshop held in Kuala Lumpur recently, said the training schedule would be fixed at four times a week or as deem fit by the coaches in the respective divisions.
In Kuching, there are four full-time and three part-time coaches to render assistance to the players.
“In Sibu, we have three full-time coaches and in Miri, we also have three full-time coaches and one part-time coach. With so many professional coaches, we are confident that the standard of the squash players in the state will increase by leaps and bounds.”
After the training, outstanding players will be selected to take part in the CMS state circuit.
The first leg of the CMS circuit will be held in Kuching from June 20-22, the second in Sibu from Aug 30-31 and the third in Miri from Sept 12-14.