PENANG played host to the 2011 Asian Squash Championship in the past week.

The five-day event, held at the Nicol David International Squash Centre in Bukit Dumbar, featured players from Malaysia, India, Pakistan, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Kuwait, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Iran, Iraq, China and Taiwan. Audiences were able to attend the competition free of charge, in spite of the presence of world-class squash players. Read here.

Among the players taking part are Penangites Nicol David, the world number one, 21-year-old Low Wee Wern and 31-year-old Ong Beng Hee, also the number two-ranked player in Malaysia. “It’s always great to be home,” said David. Read here.

Ong, who had seen his career slump in the past couple of months no thanks to injuries, hoped to turn things around in this competition. "I have worked doubly hard to improve on my game in preparing for this Asian challenge with the hope that this can help turn my fortunes around when the new professional season begins in July," he said. Read here.

Low, the national number two, has prioritised squash above all else, including her studies.  “It was sometimes frustrating because I would be travelling so much that I was seldom able to hang out with my friends or even be in school. When I sat for the UPSR, I flew home a day before the exam. For the PMR, I only came back a week before." Read here.

The end of the competition saw Nicol David triumph as champion, defeating Hong Kong's Annie Lu in less than 30 minutes in the final; Lu was said to have been tired after a grueling semifinal win over Low. Ong, meanwhile, was defeated in an upset by world number 46 and Malaysian number 3 Mohd Nafiizwan Mohd Adnan. "When I walked onto court, I told myself that I would play with all my might," he said.

"The eighth consecutive title was not that important, but winning it in Penang in front of my home fans was really very important," said David. Read here.

Other news

• St George Church conservation project completed: The National Heritage Department officially handed over the St. George Church conversation project, here today to the church management. Read here.
• 2,000 take upgraded Penang Hill train: A honeymooning couple from Saudi Arabia was among some 2,000 tourists and locals who boarded the Penang Hill funicular train, which resumed operations after a lapse of 14 months. Read here.
• RM4bil roads for Penang: The state government has announced plans to implement two new road projects costing some RM4bil to reduce traffic congestion on Penang island by up to 40%. Read here.
• Whistle alert for errant motorists: MOTORISTS who park illegally on Penang island will be given a minute to remove their vehicles after a whistle, failing which their vehicles will be clamped. Read here. 
• Showbiz: Thumpin’ mix of sight and sound: AUSTRALIAN electro/dance outfit Vandalism leads the international acts who will take the stage for tonight’s H-Artistry The Global Art Of Mixing party at Voodoo, Penang. Read here.

For more news on Penang, please click through to iGT NetBuzz April 25 to May 1, 2011 here. For daily updates, "like" iGeorgeTown on Facebook or join us on Twitter.      

Comments (0)

Show/Hide comments

Show/Hide comment form