Shining potential in squash

What say you on the issue below?

YOUNGSTER Mohd Shafiq Mohd Kamal’s first squash training session was a bloody and painful one.

But the encounter encouraged him to return to the squash court again the following day and today Mohd Shariff is ranked among the top juniors in the country.

Mohd Shafiq, then 10 years old, attended a squash training programme in Kota Baru. His father, a table tennis enthusiast, wanted Mohd Shafiq to be active in squash.

However Mohd Shafiq’s first lesson, under coach Shamsul Bahary, ended in an unfortunate incident.

Determined boy: Mohd Shafiq’s aim is to gain a place in the national squad and eventually become a professional.

Mohd Shafiq said while going through the training session, he was hit by a racquet on the head.

“It was hard hit and I was bleeding. I had to return home with a bandage on my head. But the nasty knock made me return to the court with the aim to excel in squash,’’ said Mohd Shafiq.

Under the guidance of Shamsul, Mohd Shafiq, then a pupil of SK Langgar in Kota Baru. showed a lot of progress. Soon he was making his presence felt in the local age group competitions.

In 2007, Mohd Shafiq was given the chance to play in the Hong Kong Junior Open squash championships. He made an impact in the championships and qualified for the final in the boys’ Under-11 age group.

And Mohd Shafiq became the champion.

“It was my first international competition and I was happy to win the gold medal. It was also motivating after all the hard work in training,’’ said Mohd Shafiq.

After completing his primary school, Mohd Shafiq had the privilege to join the Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) in 2009.

As a student of BJSS, Mohd Shafiq had the opportunity to train six days a week. The coaches were Mohd Shahril Shahidan and Andrew Cross. His training sessions also include gym workouts and long runs.

Mohd Shafiq admitted that the training sessions were regimental and required a lot discipline.

“I am prepared to go through the mill as my aim is to gain a place in the national squad and eventually become a professional. I have to thank my coaches for their guidance,’’ said Mohd Shafiq.

Last year, Mohd Shariff had the chance to play in the Asian Junior championships as well as the Hong Kong Junior Open championships. Though he was only 13 years old, Mohd Shafiq was entered for the Under-15 groups.

He was placed fourth in Hong Kong and eighth in the Asian Junior in Sri Lanka.

But this year has been an impressive one for Mohd Shafiq. He was on podium in almost all the championships.

In the Asian Junior in Jordan, MohdShafiq won the gold medal and finished third in both the Milo-All Star International junior championships and Penang International Junior championships.

In the Milo-Malaysian Schools Sports Council (MSSM) championships, Mohd Shafiq won a silver medal. He was the champion in the boys’ Under-19 age group in the second leg of the CIMB-National Junior circuit.

Mohd Shafiq said he had gained a lot of experience in the CIMB-National Junior circuit.

“I get the chance to play against stronger players,’’ he added.

His next competitions will be the National Juniors, Inter-state and the Kuala Lumpur Open.

Both Shamsul and Mohd Shahril are happy with Mohd Shafiq’s progress.

Shamsul said Mohd Shafiq was focused and committed towards excelling in squash.

“His game has improved and he is capable of varying his game. He is also physically strong. Being his first coach, I am proud of his achievements and I would like to see him play for the national team,’’ said Shamsul.

FACT FILE

Name: Mohd Shafiq Mohd Kamal

Date of Birth: 1 Aug 1996

School: Bukit Jalil Sports School (Form Three)

Favourite Sports Personality: Nicol David

Ambition: Professional squash player

Achievements

2010

Hong Kong Junior Open: Fourth in the Under-15 age group

Asian Junior (Sri Lanka): Eighth in the Under-15 age group

2011

Asian Junior (Jordan): Champion in the Under-15 age group

Milo-All Star International Junior: Third in the Under-15 age group

Penang International Junior: Third in the Under-15 age group

Milo-Malaysian Schools Sports Council (MSSM) championships: Second in the Under-15 age group