Sarawak S1 Circuit squash finals today

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KUCHING: The finals of the Sarawak S1 Circuit will be held at the Sarawak Club squash courts today.

NO GENDER BARRIER: Michelle Won hits a return againts Collin Wong during their Sarawak S1 Circuit match at the Sarawak Club yesterday. Won defied the odds by competing in the boys’ U-17 category.

Seeing more than 150 players competing in several age groups since Friday, top four rounds will start at 8am up till the finals, which is expected to start before noon.

Organised by the Squash Association of Kuching and Samarahan (SAKS), Kuching is the third and final leg after the conclusion of the first leg which was held in Miri (March) and Sibu (September).

“Sadly, some of our top players are not here as they are away on holidays or taking part in the squash competition in Pulau Pinang,” said Connie Yeo, chairman of SAKS yesterday.

She also said that there is an increase to the number of players soon after the closing date, which signals the good response from the junior players in the state.

Glad to note that rising stars such as Michelle Won and Baxter Jap are in the fray, Yeo explained that both players are the state’s pride for being national players as well as ranked within the top eight in Malaysia.

It was also a twist, that Michelle Won is playing in the boys’ under-17 year old category as she craves for a tougher fight by competing among the boys.

Seeing players as young as seven-year-olds in the three-day event, more than 200 games were scheduled up till today urging the need for a proper squash centre to be built for the association.

Among the objectives of the tournament according to SAKS, is to give the local players a chance to compete among themselves as well as honing their skills besides gaining the valuable experience. Yeo also said the competition is an avenue for the association to scout for talents and prepare them to don the state colours to take part in tournaments at the national level which is instrumental for the development of young players.

Among the national events which carry weight is the CIMB Rising Stars National Junior Circuit, the Datuk Nicol David and Ong Beng Hee Cup, the National Junior Carnival Circuit and the Sukma Games.