By: Muhamad Zamri & Ain Yumni
SERDANG, March 27 – The Squash Club, in collaboration with the Sports Academy, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), has hosted the final match programme and closing ceremony for the UPM Indoor Squash Circuit Tournament 2022.
The UPM Indoor Squash Circuit Tournament 2022 is a series of squash competitions held in three circuits.
Circuit I was held on January 9, 2022, Circuit II on January 23, 2022, and Circuit III on March 27, 2022, which was also the highlight of the final match and closing ceremony of the tournament. The tournament was divided into three categories, i.e. Divisions 1, 2 and 3.
The final match and the closing ceremony of the tournament were attended by 70 people consisting of UPM athletes, sports academy staff and students.
The tournament was officiated by the national squash queen, Datuk Dr. Nicol Ann David, who is also the Founder and Head Coach of the Nicol David Organisation. Also present was the Director of UPM Sports Academy, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tajularipin Sulaiman, and the advisor for UPM Squash Club, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yap Wing Fen.
Datuk Dr. Nicol Ann expressed her appreciation toward UPM squash club for their success in hosting such a successful squash tournament.
"I am proud because all the participants and spectators who attended the programme showed interest in squash, and I believe such a tournament will help the community be more familiar with and interested in squash," she said.
According to the President of UPM Squash Club, Muhammad Fauzi Md Hairi, the tournament was an initiative to create a platform for UPM squash athletes to play competitively and gain experience playing tournaments.
“This tournament is very important in ensuring that UPM athletes are ready for upcoming tournaments, both mentally and physically,” he said.
The interaction session between Datuk Dr. Nicol Ann and all participants was special as they were able to hear firsthand the sharing of experiences and advice that would encourage the athletes to work harder in squash.
National athlete, Muhammad Hafiz Zhafri Abdul Harif, the winner in Division 1 and was also named the Best Player of the Tournament, expressed his happiness for not only winning the tournament but also having his match watched by his squash idol.
“I am excited with the presence of Datuk Dr. Nicol Ann David at the final match. I have followed her development since young and always watched her games with my family,” he said.
A new squash player, Muhammad Amir Zakwan Mohd Zailani, was the youngest player in the tournament who had shown outstanding showmanship and improvement throughout the tournament. He was crowned the Rookie of the Tournament, which would definitely make him more enthusiastic and tenacious in the sport.
“This award is indeed a surprise, and it marks the starting point for me to work harder in this sport and to instil interest in others to take up squash,” he said. – UPM
