Lau (left) presenting the CIMB Junior Squash Development Programme incentive to Si Yi.
SIBU: Sarawak’s top woman squash player Ma Si Yi has added another feather to her cap when she emerged the Girl’s Under-15 champion at the Malaysian Junior Open squash championship held in Penang recently.
But Si Yi, who is from Miri, had to dig deep before beating Penang’s Nur Aliah Izzati 3-1 (11-9, 11-8, 10- 12, 12-10).
The victory cemented her reputation as the best female player in the state and also earned her a coveted trip to England in January 2015 to take part in the prestigious British Junior Open.
“It was a hard fought victory and I am really happy to have nailed my fi rst Under-15 title,” said Si Yi, who was the Under-9 and Under-11 champion in the past.
Victory was also sweet for Si Yi and helped her to forget the nightmare she encountered during the recent Perlis Sukma when she lost heavily to a more senior player Rachel Arnold in the fi rst round.
“It seems quite impossible to beat Rachel who is fi ve years my senior.
Nevertheless, I will draw from all my experience gained for future championships and, hopefully, can help Sarawak shine in the Sukma squash event,” she added.
Another Sarawakian, Caleb Lau from Sibu, also provided a glimmer of hope of taking the Boy’s Under-11 title before losing to Au Lap Man from Hong Kong 1-3 (11-7, 2-11, 2-11, 7-11).
Squash Racquets Association of Sarawak (SRAS) president Robert Lau Hui Yew was happy with the performance of the Sarawak players.
“Sarawak players have always returned with at least one title to show.
This year is of no exception and al l of us in the squash fraternity ought to feel proud for Si Yi.
” The Malaysia Junior Open 2014 attracted players from Iran, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Australia and Papua New Guinea.
“This tournament is of Platinum category, the highest category sanct ioned by Asia Squash Federation and there are 10 groups of players consisting of Boys and Girls-Under 11, 13, 15, 17 and 19 taking part in the championship,” Lau added.
He said CIMB Foundation had agreed to sponsor any Malaysia player who wins any of the age group category to the British Junior Open 2 015 and that incentive was the main carrot that attracted so many top players in Malaysia to take part.
Sarawak sent a big contingent of 31 players to take part in all age groups.