(From fifth right) Sanjay with his SEA Games gold medals, father Jewa and MIA members led by Karambir (fourth right).
MIRI: Miri-born national squash player Sanjay Singh Chal is believed to be the first Sikh in Sarawak to have won a SEA Games gold medal.
Yesterday, the double gold medallist at the recent SEA Games was given a hero’s home coming by the Indian community here.
Miri Indian Association (MIA) president Karambir Singh led his members in meeting Sanjay, accompanied by his father Jewa and coach Jewa Singh, at the Gymkhana Club where Sanjay had his early training in squash.
Sanjay attributed his success to the support from everyone including the National Sports Centre where he was training before leaving to train in England in Jan 2015.
“For me winning the gold medal in the individual event is a dream come true as SEA Games was one of the events I grew up watching on TV and finally standing on that podium receiving that gold medal made me feel like all the hard work had finally paid off,” he said.
Sanjay also spoke of the rigorous training both locally and overseas in between his studies for a business diploma at University Malaya.
“Training in England for the past four months really helped me improve my game and brought it to the next level.
“I came back from England feeling super motivated and positive to do well in my tournament even though I was carrying a back injury,” he added.
Jewa was grateful to the government and related agencies for the support behind Sanjay’s achievements.
“Our government’s current emphasis of supporting our youths to excel both in sports and their students is superb.
We parents should encourage our children to take full advantage of the opportunities provided by the government – once they excel financial support is there for them,” he said.
Sanjay, who said he missed Indian food, was treated to a special Indian lunch after the press conference.
21 year-old Sanjay, ranked No. 4 in Malaysia and No. 115 in the world, is in Miri for a five-day holiday before returning for training in KL in preparation for tournaments including the Victoria and Australian Open in July and August.