KUALA LUMPUR – It was a double victory for national youth squash players as Kovin Surendran and Erwin Christopher were crowned champions at the Australian Junior Open.
At the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre, Erwin took down Australian Flynn Barlett in straight sets in just 22 minutes to win the U15 boys title, while 10-year-old Kovin defeated Singapore’s Shayan Samtani 9-11, 11-6, 11-8, 11-8 to claim the U11 boys title.
Among the top three in the Asian Junior Super Series (AJSS), Erwin admitted that the Australian’s strength was a challenge for him.
“I was quite nervous before because the Australians are stronger than us. But I just did my best to find out what works for me to calm down and find a way to win.
“My coach instructed me to not drop more than 15 points in the finals and to prove to myself that I am worthy of the championship.
“I managed to hit my target by dropping 14 points in a 3-0 victory. I can celebrate my victory now,” he said in a statement.
Meanwhile, having met his opponent previously at the HCL India Junior Open earlier this year, Kovin said facing Shayan was nerve-wracking then, as it was in Australia.
“But I had better experience playing in the glass court and it was a heads up for me.
“It was a struggle in the beginning but I managed to pull up in the next three rounds. I received a boost in confidence after the second game with excellent coaching from my coach,” said the second-ranked AJSS player.
Both the athletes are currently undergoing an intense training regimen at the Supreme Squash Club (SSC) under Selangor Sukma Team head coach Ifrahim Gul, who was awarded Squash Racquets Association of Malaysia Coach of the Year in 2022.
The son of Pakistan’s national squash team head coach Fahim Gul, Ifrahim said both Kovin and Erwin have been progressing well in terms of their basic game and fitness.
“They’re getting more aggressive and improving on the tactical side of things. There’s more work to be done but this is a good start.
“They are very hardworking and have the potential to do well. There is a lot more for them to learn, but if they keep putting in the work and stay dedicated, I’m sure they will go far,” he said.
At the same time, SSC founder and chief executive officer Christopher Anthony told The Vibes the non-government organisation aims to put their athletes from ages 6 to 19 on the pathway to professional squash early on.
With many of their players being full-time athletes and opting to attend private schools with online options, Christopher said the long-term plan is to invest further in education.
“Due to Bukit Jalil Sports School's capacity, we have created a mini concept of a sports school within our club.
“For players who are serious about their career in squash and undergo training regimens, having online classes lets them train the whole day,” he said.
For those who intend to attend training but are enrolled in government schools, Christopher said it is possible to customise their training modules to accommodate school sessions.
Currently with 70 members, SSC tries to stay affordable at just RM250 a month and utilises the squash courts at Bukit Bintang Boys’ School, while the cost for international tournaments will have to be borne by the athletes themselves.
Registered under the Sports Commissioner’s Office, Christopher added that SSC intends to expand to other states in the country, as it already has counterparts in Singapore, Pakistan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. – The Vibes, April 25, 2023.
