PILLAR OF SUPPORT: Affeeq poses with his mother Siti Aishah who is very supportive of his sport.
KUCHING: The Samarahan and Kuching Squash Association (SAKS) is hoping that the State government would seriously consider the request for funds to send two players for overseas exposure.
Its chairperson Connie Yeo said last Sunday that the
Squash Racquets Association of Malaysia, Sarawak Branch (SRAS) would be sending the letter concerning this matter to the Sarawak State Sports Council this week.
“We need financial assistance to send Affeeq Abedeen Ismail, 18, from Kuching and Sanjay Singh Chal, 17, from Miri for exposure at the British Junior Open Championship from end of December to beginning of next year,” Yeo told reporters in a press conference where Affeeq and his mother Siti Aisah Abedeen were also present.
According to Yeo, Affeeq and Sanjay have been named to the state Sukma XV squad for 2012 and sending the duo overseas for exposure was also part of the preparations for the next Sukma in Pahang.
“We will be sending a very strong boys team to the next Sukma where Affeeq and Sanjay are two very good gold medals prospects. We hope to win two golds from the individual and team events in Pahang,” she added.
The other boys players are Andre Kho, and Bexter Jap who had just won the CMS Sarawak Squash Circuit S1 Boys U-19 singles title last Sunday while the girls team will comprise of Michelle Wong and a few others yet to be selected.
Yeo said it would take about RM40,000 to send the two players and a team manager to the British Junior Open.
She is also hoping that some other individuals or private companies can also come in as sponsors of sports attire and equipment for Affeeq.